Method of and apparatus for piling bills or the like

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for piling bills or the like. It is to be noted that the term "a bill or the like" includes a bill (namely, bank note), a card, securities, and others.

[0002] In a conventional apparatus for stacking bills or the like, as described in JP-A 61-37,658, a rotating, flexible member for correcting the state of bills or the like is disposed between the end of a path for carrying the bills or the like and the rear end of a stack of bills or the like having been stored in a storage part. In more detail, a stopper fixed to the front end of the storage part trues up the front ends of bills or the like having entered the storage part, and the rear end of a stack of bills or the like having been stored in the storage part is pressed against a horizontal plane by the correcting member so that the rear end of the stack is never lifted. Thus, the rear end of the stack will never interfere with a bill or the like which is supplied from the carrying path and is to be stacked. In the conventional apparatus, however, no attention is paid to a case where bills of different sizes are piled in a single storage part.

[0003] Such a correcting member is disclosed not only in JP-A 61-37,658 but also in JP-A 1-69,450.

[0004] As mentioned above, in the prior art, the fixed stopper trues up the front ends of bills or the like having entered the storage part, and the rear end of the stack of such bills or the like is pressed against a horizontal plane by the rotational motion of the correcting members so that the rear end of the stack is never lifted. Thus, the rear end of the stack is prevented from interfering with a bill or the like which is supplied from the carrying path and is to be stacked. In a case where a bill or the like having a length greater than a predetermined value enters the storage part, however, the front end of the bill or the like is restricted by the stopper, and thus there arises a problem that the rear end of the bill or the like protrudes from the storage part. On the other hand, in a case where a bill or the like having a length smaller than the predetermined value enters the storage part, the front end of the bill or the like butts on the stopper, and thus the rear end of the bill or the like is not affected by the rotational motion of the correcting member. Accordingly, the bill or the like will be bent upwardly on the basis of the fact that the bill or the like was once folded up. Thus, there arises a problem that the bent bill collides with a bill or the like which is supplied from the carrying path and is to be stacked, and hence it is impossible to stack the bills or the like in a favorable manner.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is a first object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for piling bills or the like of different sizes in a single storage part.

[0006] Further, it is a second object of the present invention to prevent a bill or the like which is to be piled, from lying incorrectly upon a pile of bills or the like stored in a storage part, that is, to prevent a jam state in the storage part surely.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for piling bills or the like, as set out in claim 1.

[0008] The pile of bills or the like stored in a state that the front ends of the bills or the like are trued up, maybe discharged from the storage part, as it is. Usually, the pile of bills or the like is stored in the storage part in a state that a short bill or the like is placed under a long bill or the like. When the pile is turned upside down, the pile will look better. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, when the pile of bills or the like is discharged from the storage part while being held between a pair of belts, the belts are twisted through an angle of 180°.

[0009] As is evident from the above explanation, an apparatus for piling bills or the like in accordance with the present invention, is suitable for used in a cash paying apparatus such as a cash dispenser.

[0010] The present invention also provides a method of piling bills or the like as set out in claim 8 and a method of dispensing bills or the like as set out in claim 9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of an embodiment of an apparatus for piling bills or the like in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of a cash paying apparatus, to which the embodiment of Fig. 1 is applicable.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a block diagram which shows a control system used for the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0014] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a sheet roller.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of a table moving device.

[0016] Figs. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams showing the construction of devices for taking out a pile of bills or the like.

[0017] Fig. 8 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the operation of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0018] Fig. 9 is a block diagram which shows a different control system used for the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0019] Figs. 10 to 13 are flow charts for explaining other examples of the operation of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained below, with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of an embodiment 100 of an apparatus for piling bills in accordance with the present invention. The embodiment 100 comprises a storage part 1, a correcting member 5 and a carrying path 6, and is applicable to a cash dispenser 110 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows a control system used for the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0022] The cash dispenser 110 includes cassettes 111, 112 and 113 for stacking bills, and each cassette is connected to the present embodiment 100 through the carrying path 6. Further, in Fig. 2, reference numeral 114 designates a reject box, 115 a device for detecting the overlaying of bills, and S1 to S8 sensors.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the carrying path 6 is formed of a pair of belts 16 and 17 which are arranged so as to hold a bill 18 therebetween.

[0024] Further, the storage part 1 includes a storage table 2 made up of a front stopper 2-1 and a bottom plate 2-2, and a rear stopper 1-1. The rear stopper 1-1 is fixed, and the storage table 2 is moved by the table moving device 3. Fig. 5 shows the construction of the table moving device 3. A plurality of sheet rollers 5 shown in Fig. 4 and serving as the correcting member, are disposed over the rear end of the storage part 1. Each sheet roller 5 has a plurality of flexible sheets 5-1, and the sheet 5-1 is formed of a polyimide film having a thickness of 0.125 mm. The sheet 5-1 presses down the rear end of a pile of bills, and thus the rear end of the pile is prevented from interfering with a bill to be piled.

[0025] In Fig. 1, reference numeral 7 designates an inlet sensor disposed at the entrance of the storage part 1 for delivering a dark signal at a time when the front end of a bill reaches the storage part 1, 9 a sensor for detecting the position of the front stopper 2-1, and 8 a guide for bills.

[0026] Next, the table moving device 3 will be explained, with reference to Fig. 5. The storage table 2 is fixed to a toothed belt 31, which engages with a toothed pulley 32. The pulley 32 is rotated by a step motor 38 through gear mechanisms 33 to 36. The amount of rotation of the pulley 32, that is, the amount of movement of the storage table 2 is detected by a position sensor 37.

[0027] In Fig. 5, the storage table 2 is moved, as a whole, that is, the front stopper 2-1 and the bottom plate 2-2 are moved together. Accordingly, a pile of bills on the bottom plate 2-2 is moved in synchronism with the movement of the front stopper 2-1. In order to change the length of the storage part in accordance with the size of a bill to be piled so that the bill will never bring about a jam, at least the stopper 2-1 has to be moved. In this case, only the stopper 2-1 is fixed to the belt 31, and the bottom plate is held by a member other than the bottom plate 2-2.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a discharge mechanism 40 for a pile of bills. As shown in Fig. 6, a pile of bills 18 is held among three belts 41, 42 and 43, to be discharged. At this time, the stopper 2-1 is removed from a discharge path with the aid of a mechanism (not shown).

[0029] Fig. 7 shows another discharge mechanism, in which a pile of bills is turned upside down. As shown in Fig. 7, a pile of bills 18 is held between belts 52 and 53, each of which is stretched and moved by four rollers. Further, those portions of the belts 52 and 53 which hold the pile of bills, are twisted through an angle of 180°. Thus, the pile kept at a state that a bill of small size is placed under a bill of large size, is discharged in a state that the bill of large size is placed under the bill of small size and the front ends of the bills are still trued up.

[0030] Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be explained. Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the above operation.

[0031] The operation of the present embodiment is controlled by a control unit 12 shown in Fig. 3. The control unit 12 stores therein a control program. Further, a size-of-bill storing part (that is, memory) 19 shown in Fig. 3 stores therein the size of bills stacked in each of the cassettes 111 to 113.

[0032] Referring back to Fig. 3, the control unit 12 selects the smallest one of bills to be dispensed, with reference to the contents of the memory 19, and transfers the selected bill from a corresponding cassette to the storage part 1 through the carrying path 6 (step 1). At this time, the control unit 12 locates the storage table 2 so that the stopper 2-1 is placed at a predetermined position corresponding to the size of the selected bill. Incidentally, the carrying path 6 is driven by a step motor 13, and the motor 13 also rotates the sheet rollers 5 a shown in Fig. 6.

[0033] In step 2, the control unit 12 selects a small bill next to the smallest one, with reference to the contents of the memory 19, and starts the motor 13 so that the selected bill is carried from a corresponding cassette. In step 3, the control unit 12 detects the position of the stopper 2-1 with the aid of the output of the sensor 9. In step 4, the control unit 12 calculates a difference in size between the largest one of bills stored in the storage part 1 (namely, the uppermost one of bills stored in the storage part 1) and a bill to be piled, and the number of pulses for moving the stopper 2-1 in accordance with the above difference is set. In step 5, it is checked whether or not that front end portion of the to-be-piled bill which has predetermined length, has entered the storage part 1. In other words, it is checked whether or not the front end of the bill to be piled is put in contact with a pile of bills stored in the storage part 1, or it is checked whether or not an end portion of the bill to be piled has been placed on the pile of bills stored in the storage part 1. Thus, the sheet roller 5 presses down the pile of bills stored in the storage part 1, together with the bill to be piled, and thus the generation of a jam is surely prevented. The length of that portion of the to-be-piled bill which is carried into the storage part 1, is determined by the number of rotational steps of the motor 13 counted up after the inlet sensor 7 has detected the to-be-piled bill.

[0034] In step 6, the table moving device 3 is operated. Thus, in Fig. 1, the storage table 2 is moved to the left. The moving speed of the storage table 2 is made equal to or a little higher than the moving speed of the bill due to the carrying path.

[0035] Thereafter, a predetermined number of bills having the same size are stacked in the storage part (step 7). Then, it is checked whether a bill to be piled, is present or not (step 8), to repeat the above processing.

[0036] When all bills are stored in the storage part 1, the bills are discharged to the outside with the aid of the discharge device of Fig. 6 or 7 (step 9).

[0037] In the above operation of the present embodiment, after that front end portion of the to-be-piled bill which has the predetermined length, has been carried into the storage part 1, the stopper 2-1 (that is, storage table 2) is moved. In a case where the generation of a jam is surely prevented by the sheet roller 5, however, the storage table 2 may be moved at the same time as the to-be-piled bill reaches the storage part.

[0038] In the above explanation bills are piled in the storage part. It is needless to say that the present embodiment is applicable to a case where cards of different sizes or securites of different sizes are piled.

[0039] Further explanation will be made of the present embodiment.

[0040] Next, other operations of the present embodiment will be explained. The position of the front stopper 2-1 is set in accordance with the size of a bill or the like to be piled. Bills or the like will be sent to the storage part 1 through the carrying path 6, one by one. The front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like butts on the front stopper 2-1 at a time when the rear end of the bill or the like enters the storage part 1. Thus, the position of the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like is determined by the front stopper 2-1. Further, the flexible sheets 5-1 of the sheet roller 5 which is rotated anticlockwise, press down the rear end of the to-be-piled bill or the like and the rear end of a pile of bills 18 or the like stored in the storage part 1. Thus, successive bills or the like are piled on a pile of bills or the like without making the front end of the bill or the like collide with the rear end of the pile.

[0041] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system which is used for the embodiment of Fig. 1. In Figs. 3 and 9, the same reference numerals designate like parts. Referring to Fig. 9, the control unit 12 detects the present position of the front stopper 2-1 on the basis of the output signal of the position sensor 9 for the front stopper. Further, the size-of-bill storing part 19 stores therein the size of each of to-be-carried bills or the like, the size information on a carried bill or the like is read out from the size-of-bill storing part 19 while using the carried bill or the like as a key. Next, the control unit 12 calculates the amount of control for the stopper 2-1 on the basis of the present position of the stopper 2-1 and the size information on the carried bill or the like, and applies a start signal to a front-stopper driving motor 15, to move the front stopper 2-1 to an optimum position. The size information on the carried bill or the like may be obtained in the following manner. That is, a sensor is provided on the carrying path 6, and the size of a bill or the like is determined on the basis of a period, during which the bill or the like is detected by the sensor.

[0042] Next, the control unit 12 applies a start signal to the carrying-path driving motor 13, to drive the carrying path 6 and the sheet roller 5. A carrying-path encoder 11 delivers an encoder pulse signal in accordance with the amount of movement of the carrying path 6. The control unit 12 detects the movement of the pass 6 according to the encoder pulse signal. The stacker inlet sensor 7 delivers a dark signal when a bill or the like exists at the entrance of the stacker, and delivers a light signal when the bill or the like is absent at the entrance of the stacker. The control unit 12 detects a time when the front-stopper driving motor 15 is started, from the output signal of the inlet sensor 7. A bill-moving-belt driving pulse motor 14 drives a bill moving belt, to move a pile of bills 18 or the like to the left or right.

[0043] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing a first example of the operation of the control system of Fig. 9. Referring to Fig. 10, the carrying-path driving pulse motor 13 is first started, to carry bills or the like one by one. Next, the size of a bill or the like to be piled is read out from the size-of-bill storing part 19. Then, the present position of the front stopper 2-1 is detected by the position sensor 9 for the front stopper, the amount of movement of the front stopper is calculated, and the number of pulses for moving the front stopper is set. Thereafter, the front-stopper driving motor 15 is rotated through an angle corresponding to the above number of pulses, to move the front stopper at the same time as, or a period of time after, the to be piled bill reaches the stacker, and then the bill or the like is piled on a pile of bills or the like in the storage part 1. Thus, bills of various sizes can be piled in the stacker.

[0044] Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing a second example of the operation of the control system of Fig. 9. In this example, a plurality of kinds of bills are piled in order of increasing length, and a predetermined number of bills of the same kind are successively piled. The carrying path driving motor 13 is first started, to carry bills or the like, one by one. Next, the size of a bill or the like to be piled is read out from the size-on-bill storing part 19. Then, the present position of the front stopper 2-1 is detected by the position sensor 9 for the front stopper, the amount of movement of the front stopper is calculated, and the number of pulses for moving the front stopper is set. Next, it is detected by the dark signal from the inlet sensor 7 that the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like has been inserted in the entrance of the stacker. Thereafter, the front stopper 2-1 is moved. When the to-be-piled bill or the like has been stored in the stacker, the position of the front stopper is fixed, and a piling operation is continued till a predetermined number of bills or others equal in size to the to-be-piled bill or the like are piled in the storage part.

[0045] Next, in a case where bills or the like different in kind from the above-mentioned is further piled, the size of the bills or the like is detected. In this case, the rear end of a pile of bills 18 or the like is always pressed down by the rotating sheet roller 5. In this state, the inlet sensor 7 delivers the dark signal and the front end of the first one of the bills or the like reaches the entrance of the storage part 1. Accordingly, the front end of the first bill or the like can be inserted in the entrance of the storage part 1 without interfering with the rear end of the pile of bills. After the first bill or the like has been inserted in the storage part 1, the front stopper 2-1 is moved, to pile the first bill or the like on the pile of bills or the like. Then, the front stopper 2-1 is fixed, and a storing operation is continued till a predetermined number of bills equal in size to the first bill are piled in the storage part 1. As mentioned above, in a case where bills different in size from a pile of bills are piled on the pile, after the front end of the first one of the to-be-piled bills has been inserted in the storage part, the front stopper 2-1 is moved. Accordingly, bills of different size can be piled in the storage part 1 in order of increasing length without interfering with a pile of bills in the storage part.

[0046] Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing a third example of the operation of the control system of Fig. 9. In this example, a plurality of kinds of bills are piled in order of increasing length, and a predetermined number of bills of the same size are successively piled. Specifically, in a case where the first one of bills different in size from bills having been stored in the storage part is piled on the latter bills, after that front end portion of the first bill which has predetermined length, has been inserted in the storage part 1, the front stopper 2-1 is moved. Thus, the rear end of a pile of bills stored in the storage part is surely prevented from interfering with the front end of the first bill.

[0047] In more detail, the carrying-path during motor 13 is started to carry bills or the like, one by one. Next, the size of a bill or the like to be piled is read out from the size-of-bill storage part 19. Then, the present position of the front stopper 2-1 is detected by the position sensor 9 for the front stopper, the amount of movement of the front stopper is calculated, and the number of pulses for moving the front stopper is set. After that front end portion of the to-be-piled bill which has the predetermined length, has been inserted in the storage part 1, the front stopper 2-1 in moved. When the to-be-piled bill has been piled in the storage part 1, the position of the front stopper 2-1 is fixed, and a piling operation is continued till a predetermined number of bills equal in size to the above bill are piled in the storage part.

[0048] Next, in a case where bills or the like different in kind from the above-mentioned is further piled, the size of the bills or the like is read out from the size-of-bill storing part 19, and the number of pulses for moving the front stopper is set. After the front end portion of the first one of the bills or the like which has the predetermined length, has been inserted in the storage part 1, the front stopper 2-1 is moved. Hence, a rear end portion of a pile of bills or the like stored in the storage part 1 is always pressed down by the flexible sheets 5-1 of the sheet roller 5. In this state, the front end of the first one of the to-be-piled bills or the like reaches the entrance of the storage part 1. Thus, the rear end of the pile of bills or the like stored in the storage part 1 does not interfere with the front end of the first bill or the like, and the first bill or the like is surely stored in the storage part 1. When the first bill or the like is piled on the pile of bills or the like in the storage part 1, the position of the front stopper 2-1 is fixed, and a piling operation is continued till a predetermined number of bills equal in size to the first bill are piled on the pile of bills in the storage part 1. Thus, bills or the like of different sizes can be piled in a single storage part 1 without interfering with each other.

[0049] Fig. 13 is a flow chart showing a fourth example of the operation of the control system of Fig. 9. In this example, a plurality of kinds of bills are piled in order of increasing length, and a predetermined number of bills of the same size are successively piled. Further, at the same time as the front stopper 2-1 is moved, the bill moving belt is moved, to move a pile of bills 18. Thus, bills of different sizes can be piled in a state that the front ends of the bills are trued up.

[0050] The carrying-path driving pulse motor 13 is started to carry bills or the like, one by one. Next, the size of a bill or the like to be piled is read out from the size-of-bill storing part 19. Then, the present position of the front stopper 2-1 is detected by the position detector 9 for the front stopper, the amount of movement of the front stopper is calculated, and the number of pulses for moving the front stopper is set. After the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like has been inserted in the entrance of the storage part 1, both of the front stopper 2-1 and a bill moving belt (a pile of bills 18 or the like) are moved. The pile of bills or the like is moved in such a manner that the bill moving belt is moved by driving the bill-moving -belt driving pulse motor 14. When the to-be-piled bill or the like has been stored in the storage part, the position of the front stopper is fixed, and a stacking operation is continued till a predetermined number of bills or others equal in size to the to-be-piled bill or the like are piled.

[0051] Next, in a case where bills or the like different in size from the above-mentioned will be further piled, the size of the to-be-piled bills or the like is read out from the size-of-bill storing part 19, and the number of pulses for moving the front stopper is set. After the inlet sensor 7 has delivered a dark signal, both of the front stopper 2-1 and the bill moving belt for moving a pile of bills 18 or the like, are moved. Hence, a rear end portion of the pile of bills 18 or the like is always pressed down by the flexible sheets 5-1 of the rotating sheet roller 5. In this state, the front end of the first one of the to-be-piled bills or the like, which is different in size from bills or the like to have been piled, is inserted in the entrance of the storage part 1. Thereafter, the front stopper 2-1 and the pile of bills or the like are moved at the same time, and the first bill or the like is piled on the pile of bills or the like. Thus, when the first bill or the like is stored in the storage part 1, the end of the pile of bills or the like which is pressed down by the sheet roller 5, does not interfere with the first bill or the like. When the first bill or the like has been piled on the pile of bills or the like, the position of the front stopper 2-1 is fixed, and a piling operation is continued till a predetermined number of bills or others equal in size to the first bill or the like have been piled in the storage part. Thus, bills or the like of different sizes can be piled in a single storage part 1 without interfering with each other, and moreover can be piled in a state that the front ends of the bills or the like are trued up by the front stopper 2-1.

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for piling bills (18) or the like, the apparatus including a storage part (1) for storing bills (18) or the like in the form of a pile, a stopper (2-1) for trueing up the front end of bills or the like piled in the storage part, a carrying path (6) for carrying bills or the like to the storage part, and means (5) disposed between the carrying path and the storage part for preventing the rear end of a pile of bills or the like in the storage part, from interfering with a bill or the like which is carried by the carrying path and is to be piled;
   characterised in that the apparatus further comprises position changing means (3,12,19) for changing the position of the stopper in accordance with the size of the to-be-piled bill or the like;
   detection means (7) for detecting that the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like reaches the storage part (1); and
   control means (12) adapted to control the position changing means (3,12,19), and hence the position of the stopper (2-1), in dependence on the detection means (7) detecting that the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like reaches the storage part (1).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means (12) is adapted to control the position changing means such that the stopper (2-1) is moved at substantially the same time as the detecting means (7) detects that the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like reaches the storage part (1).

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means (12) is adapted to control the position changing means such that the stopper (2-1) is moved a period of time after the time at which the detecting means (7) detects that the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like reaches the storage part (1) so that in the case when in use a pile of bills or the like is stored in the storage part (1), the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like contacts the said pile stored in the storage part (1) prior to the stopper (2-1) being moved.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of cassettes (111,112,113) in which to stack bills or the like, with respective cassettes containing bills or the like of different sizes; and
   means for transferring bills or the like from the cassettes (111,112,113) to said storage part (1) in order of increasing size thereof, whereby the bills or the like are piled in the storage part (1) in order of increasing size thereof.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means (40,50) for discharging a pile of bills or the like from the storage part (1) to outside the apparatus, in a state that the front ends of the bills or the like of the pile are trued up, the discharge means comprising at least two belts (52,53) which in use lie adjacent opposed surfaces of the pile, the pile being held between said belts while it is discharged.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the discharging means is adapted and arranged such that the pile is inverted whilst it is held between the belts (52,53).

7. A cash dispenser (110) including an apparatus for piling bills according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method of piling bills or the like of different sizes to one another, using an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps:

(a) determining the sizes and number of the bills or the like which are to be piled;

(b) transferring the said bills or the like to the storage part (1) of said apparatus, in order of increasing size thereof as determined by a dimension of each bill or the like in a defined direction;

(c) detecting that each to-be-piled bill or the like in turn reaches the storage part (1);

(d) for each to-be-piled bill or the like in turn, determining the required position of the stopper (2-1) of said apparatus, in accordance with the size of the to-be-piled bill or the like, and in the event that the stopper (2-1) is in a position other than said required position, moving the stopper (2-1) to said required position at substantially the same time as, or a period of time after, the to-be-piled bill or the like is detected as reaching the storage part (1); and

(e) feeding the to-be-piled bill or the like into the storage part, and in the case where the stopper (2-1) is moved, the front end of the to-be-piled bill or the like being fed into the storage part at the same time as, or a period of time before, the stopper is moved.

9. A method of dispensing bills of different sizes to one another, using a cash dispenser according to claim 7, comprising the steps:

(a) determining the sizes and number of the bills which are to be dispensed;

(b) transferring the said bills to the storage part (1) of said cash dispenser, in order of increasing size thereof as determined by a dimension of each bill in a defined direction;

(c) detecting that each to-be-dispensed bill in turn reaches the storage part (1);

(d) for each to-be-dispensed bill in turn, determining the required position of the stopper (2-1) of said cash dispenser, in accordance with the size of the to-be-dispensed bill or the like, and in the event that the stopper (2-1) is in a position other than said required position, moving the stopper (2-1) to said required position at substantially the same time as, or a period of time after, the to-be-dispensed bill is detected as reaching the storage part (1);

(e) feeding the to-be-dispensed bill into the storage part, and in the case where the stopper (2-1) is moved, the front end of the to-be-dispensed bill or the like being fed into the storage part at the same time as, or a period of time before, the stopper is moved, so as to pile the to-be-dispensed bill in the storage part (1); and

(f) after the determined number of to-be-dispensed bills have been piled in the storage part, discharging all of the to-be-dispensed bills from the storage part (1) in the form of a pile.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein during step (f) of the method, the bills are inverted.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung (100) zum Stapeln von Banknoten (18) oder ähnlichem, mit einem Speicherabschnitt (1) zum Ablegen von Banknoten (18) o. ä. in Form eines Stapels, einem Anschlag (2-1) zum Ausrichten des Vorderendes der in dem Speicherabschnitt gestapelten Banknoten o. ä., einem Transportweg (6) zum Befördern der. Banknoten o. ä. zu dem Speicherabschnitt, und einer zwischen dem Transportweg und dem Speicherabschnitt angeordneten Einrichtung (5), um zu verhindern, daß das rückwärtige Ende eines Stapels Banknoten o. ä. in dem Speicherabschnitt eine von dem Transportweg beförderte und aufzustapelnde Banknote o. ä. stört,
   gekennzeichnet durch eine Positionsänderungseinrichtung (3, 12, 19) zum Ändern der Position des Anschlags entsprechend der Größe der aufzustapelnden Banknote o. ä.,
   einer Erfassungseinrichtung (7) zum Erkennen, daß das Vorderende der zu stapelnden Banknote o. ä. den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht, und
   eine Steuereinrichtung (12) zum Steuern der Positionsänderungseinrichtung (3, 12, 19) und somit der Position des Anschlags (2-1) in Abhängigkeit von der Erfassungseinrichtung (7), die erfaßt, daß das Vorderende der aufzustapelnden Banknote o. ä. den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuereinrichtung (12) zur Steuerung der Positionsänderungseinrichtung so eingerichtet ist, daß der Anschlag (2-1) im wesentlichen zur gleichen Zeit, zu der die Erfassungseinrichtung (7) erkennt, daß das Vorderende der aufzustapelnden Banknote o. ä. den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht, bewegt wird.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuereinrichtung (12) zur Steuerung der Positionsänderungseinrichtung so eingerichtet ist, daß der Anschlag eine bestimmte Zeitspanne nach der Zeit, zu der die Erfassungseinrichtung (7) erkennt, daß das Vorderende der zu stapelnden Banknote o. ä. den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht, bewegt wird, so daß dann, wenn im Gebrauch ein Stapel Banknoten o. ä. in dem Speicherabschnitt (1) abgelegt wird, das Vorderende der zu stapelnden Banknote o. ä. den in dem Speicherabschnitt (1) abgelegten Stapel berührt, bevor der Anschlag (2-1) bewegt wird.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, mit einer Vielzahl an Kassetten (111, 112, 113) zum Stapeln von Banknoten o. ä., wobei die entsprechenden Kassetten Banknoten o. ä. in verschiedenen Größen enthalten, und mit einer Einrichtung zum Übertragen von Banknoten o. ä. von den Kassetten (111, 112, 113) zu dem Speicherabschnitt (1) in der Reihenfolge zunehmender Größe.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, mit einer Einrichtung (40, 50), um einen Stapel Banknoten o. ä. in einem Zustand, in dem die Vorderenden der Banknoten o. ä. des Stapels ausgerichtet sind, aus dem Speicherabschnitt (1) und aus der Vorrichtung herauszunehmen, wobei die Entnahmeeinrichtung mindestens zwei Bänder (52, 53) aufweist, die in Gebrauch an gegenüberliegenden Flächen des Stapels anliegen, und wobei der Stapel während seiner Entnahme zwischen den Bändern gehalten wird.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Entnahmeeinrichtung so eingerichtet und angeordnet ist, daß der Stapel umgedreht wird, während er zwischen den Bändern (53, 53) gehalten wird.

7. Geldautomat (110) mit einer Vorrichtung zum Stapeln von Banknoten nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6.

8. Verfahren zum Stapeln von Banknoten o. ä. von unterschiedlicher Größe unter Verwendung einer Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6 mit folgenden Schritten:

(a) Bestimmen der Größen und der Zahl der zu stapelnden Banknoten o. ä.,

(b) Übertragen der Banknoten o. ä. auf den Speicherabschnitt (1) der Vorrichtung in der Reihenfolge zunehmender Größe, die von der Abmessung jeder Banknote o. ä. in einer festgelegten Richtung bestimmt wird,

(c) Erkennen, daß jede der zu stapelnden Banknoten o. ä. jeweils den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht,

(d) Bestimmen der erforderlichen Position des Anschlags (2-1) der Vorrichtung jeweils für jede zu stapelnde Banknote o. ä. entsprechend ihrer Größe und Bewegen des Anschlags (2-1) zu der erforderlichen Position, wenn er sich an einer anderen Position befindet, zu im wesentlichen der gleichen Zeit, zu der erkannt wird, daß die zu stapelnde Banknote o. ä. den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht, oder eine Zeitspanne später, und

(e) Einführen der zu stapelnden Banknote o. ä. in den Speicherabschnitt, wobei dann, wenn der Anschlag (2-1) bewegt wird, das Vorderende der zu stapelnden Banknote o. ä. zur gleichen Zeit in den Speicherabschnitt eingeführt wird, zu der der Anschlag bewegt wird, oder eine Zeitspanne vorher.

9. Verfahren zur Ausgabe von Banknoten unterschiedlicher Größen unter Verwendung eines Geldautomaten nach Anspruch 7, mit folgenden Schritten:

(a) Bestimmen der Größen und der Zahl der auszugebenden Banknoten,

(b) Übertragen der Banknoten an den Speicherabschnitt (1) des Geldautomaten in einer Reihenfolge mit zunehmender Größe, die von einer Abmessung jeder Banknote in einer bestimmten Richtung festgelegt wird,

(c) Erkennen, daß jede auszugebende Banknote jeweils den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht,

(d) Bestimmen der erforderlichen Position des Anschlags (2-1) des Geldautomaten jeweils für jede auszugebende Banknote entsprechend der Größe der auszugebenden Banknote o. ä. und Bewegen des Anschlags (2-1) an die erforderliche Position, wenn er sich an einer anderen Position befindet, zu im wesentlichen der gleichen Zeit, zu der erkannt wird, daß die auszugebende Banknote den Speicherabschnitt (1) erreicht, oder eine Zeitspanne später,

(e) Einführen der auszugebenden Banknote in den Speicherabschnitt, wobei dann, wenn der Anschlag (2-1) bewegt wird, das Vorderende der auszugebenden Banknote o. ä. zur gleichen Zeit in den Speicherabschnitt eingeführt wird, zu der der Anschlag bewegt wird, oder eine Zeitspanne vorher, so daß die auszugebende Banknote in dem Speicherabschnitt (1) gestapelt wird, und

(f) Ausgeben aller auszugebenden Banknoten aus dem Speicherabschnitt (1) in Form eines Stapels, nachdem die bestimmte Zahl auszugebender Banknoten in dem Speicherabschnitt gestapelt wurden.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Banknoten in Schritt (f) umgedreht werden.

Revendications

1. Dispositif (100) pour empiler des billets de banque (18) ou analogues, dispositif comportant une partie de stockage (1) pour stocker des billets de banque (18) ou analogues sous la forme d'une pile, une butée (2-1) pour ajuster l'extrémité avant des billets de banque ou analogues empilés dans la partie de stockage, un trajet de transport (6) pour transporter les billets de banque ou analogues vers la partie de stockage, et des moyens (5) agencés entre le trajet de transport et la partie de stockage pour empêcher l'extrémité arrière d'une pile de billets de banque ou analogues situés dans la partie de stockage, d'interférer avec un billet de banque ou analogue qui est transporté par le trajet de transport et qui est destiné à être empilé,
   caractérisé en ce que le dispositif comporte en outre des moyens de changement de position (3, 12, 19) pour changer la position de la butée conformément à la dimension du billet de banque ou analogue à empiler,
   des moyens de détection (7) pour détecter que l'extrémité avant du billet de banque ou analogue à empiler atteint la partie de stockage (1), et
   des moyens de commande (12) adaptés pour commander les moyens de changement de position (3, 12, 19) et par conséquent la position de la butée (2-1), en fonction des moyens de détection (7) détectant que l'extrémité avant du billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé atteint la partie de stockage (1).

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande (12) sont adaptés pour commander les moyens de changement de position de telle sorte que la butée (2-1) est déplacée pratiquement en même temps que les moyens de détection (7) détectent que l'extrémité avant du billet de banque ou analogue à empiler atteint la partie de stockage (1).

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits moyens de commande (12) sont adaptés pour commander les moyens de changement de position de telle sorte que la butée (2-1) est déplacée après une période de temps par rapport au moment auquel les moyens de détection (7) détectent que l'extrémité avant du billet de banque ou analogue à empiler atteint la partie de stockage (1) de telle sorte que dans le cas où, en utilisation, une pile de billets de banque ou analogues est stockée dans la partie de stockage (1), l'extrémité avant du billet de banque ou analogue à empiler vient en contact avec ladite pile stockée dans la partie de stockage (1) avant que la butée (2-1) ne soit déplacée.

4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, comportant en outre plusieurs cassettes (111, 112, 113) dans lesquelles des billets de banque ou analogues sont empilés, les cassettes respectives contenant des billets de banque ou analogues de dimensions différentes, et
   des moyens pour transférer les billets de banque ou analogues depuis les cassettes (111, 112, 113) vers ladite partie de stockage (1) par ordre de dimension croissante de ceux-ci, de sorte que les billets de banque ou analogues sont empilés dans la partie de stockage (1) dans l'ordre de dimension croissante de ceux-ci.

5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comportant en outre des moyens (40, 50) pour décharger une pile de billets de banque ou analogues à partir de la partie de stockage (1) vers l'extérieur du dispositif, dans un état tel que les extrémités avant des billets de banque ou analogues de la pile sont ajustés, les moyens de déchargement comportant au moins deux courroies (52, 53) qui, en utilisation, se trouvent adjacentes à des surfaces opposées de la pile, la pile étant maintenue entre lesdites courroies alors qu'elle est déchargée.

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les moyens de déchargement sont adaptés et agencés de telle sorte que la pile est inversée lorsqu'elle est maintenue entre les courroies (52, 53).

7. Distributeur d'espèces (110) comportant un dispositif pour empiler les billets selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6.

8. Procédé pour empiler des billets de banque ou analogues de différentes dimensions, les uns sur les autres, en utilisant un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, comportant les étapes consistant à :

(a) déterminer les dimensions et le nombre des billets de banque ou analogues qui doivent être empilés,

(b) transférer lesdits billets de banque ou analogues vers la partie de stockage (1) dudit dispositif, dans l'ordre de dimension croissante de ceux-ci comme déterminé par la dimension de chaque billet de banque ou analogue dans une direction définie,

(c) détecter que chaque billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé atteint à son tour la partie de stockage (1),

(d) pour chaque billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé à son tour, déterminer la position requise de la butée (2-1) dudit dispositif, conformément à la dimension du billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé, et dans le cas où la butée (2-1) est dans une position autre que ladite position requise, déplacer la butée (2-1) vers ladite position requise pratiquement au même moment où le billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé est détecté comme atteignant la partie de stockage (1), ou à la fin d'une période de temps après cette détection, et

(e) acheminer le billet de banque ou analogue à empiler, à l'intérieur de la partie de stockage, et dans le cas où la butée (2-1) est déplacée, l'extrémité avant du billet de banque ou analogue à empiler étant acheminé à l'intérieur de la partie de stockage en même temps que la butée est déplacée, ou au début d'une période de temps avant ce déplacement.

9. Procédé de distribution de billets de banque de différentes dimensions les uns par rapport aux autres, utilisant un distributeur d'espèces selon la revendication 7, comportant les étapes consistant à :

(a) déterminer les dimensions et le nombre des billets de banque ou analogues qui doivent être empilés,

(b) transférer lesdits billets de banque ou analogues vers la partie de stockage (1) dudit dispositif, dans l'ordre de dimension croissante de ceux-ci comme déterminé par la dimension de chaque billet de banque ou analogue dans une direction définie,

(c) détecter que chaque billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé atteint à son tour la partie de stockage (1),

(d) pour chaque billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé à son tour, déterminer la position requise de la butée (2-1) dudit dispositif, conformément à la dimension du billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé, et dans le cas où la butée (2-1) est dans une position autre que ladite position requise, déplacer la butée (2-1) vers ladite position requise pratiquement au même moment où le billet de banque ou analogue destiné à être empilé est détecté comme atteignant la partie de stockage (1), ou à la fin d'une période de temps après cette détection, et

(e) acheminer le billet de banque ou analogue à empiler à l'intérieur de la partie de stockage, et dans le cas où la butée (2-1) est déplacée, l'extrémité avant du billet de banque ou analogue à empiler étant acheminée à l'intérieur de la partie de stockage en même temps que la butée est déplacée, ou au début d'une période de temps avant ce déplacement, et

(f) après que le nombre prédéterminé de billets de banque à distribuer ait été empilé dans la partie de stockage, décharger tous les billets de banque à distribuer à partir de la partie de stockage (1) sous la forme d'une pile.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel pendant l'étape (f) du procédé, les billets de banque sont retournés.

Drawing