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 whlie 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.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the banknote handling machine shown in Fig. 1.
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.
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.
Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing internal construction of the banknote handling
machine shown in Fig. 1.
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).
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).
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.
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.
Fig. 10 is an illustration showing a series of operations when the banknotes are stored
in one stacking unit.
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.
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.
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
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] Now, each component of the banknote handling machine 1 as constructed above will
be described in more detail.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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 Fig. 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).
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] Each of the above sensors 70 to 82 is connected with the control unit 90, so that
detection results of these sensors 70 to 82 can be directly transmitted to the control
unit 90, respectively.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
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.
[0056] As shown in Figs. 6 through 10, the pushing member 44 is composed of a front-stage
portion 44a bent by approximately 120° 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] Now, the operation of the banknote handling machine 1 as constructed above will be
discussed.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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.
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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.
[0077] 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.
[0078] 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.
[0079] 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.
[0080] 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.
[0081] 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.
[0082] 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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.
[0085] 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.
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.
[0086] 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.
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 whlie 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.