[0001] The invention relates to a banknote storage cassette for storing banknotes within
a bag held within the cassette and to a bag that can be used with the banknote storage
cassette for storing banknotes. It also relates to a method of modifying a banknote
storage cassette to be used with the bag and to a method of preparing a bag.
[0002] Banknote storage cassettes are often used for collecting and storing banknotes in
banknote processing equipment. They are used, for example, in banknote sorters and
counters and also in automated teller machines (ATMs). Typically, the cassettes have
a banknote infeed which interfaces with a banknote transport in the equipment with
which they are used. When the equipment wishes to store a banknote, it passes it down
the transport so that it is fed into the infeed of the cassette. The cassette then
builds up a stack of banknotes in a space within it.
[0003] The cassettes just described are very useful for securely storing banknotes and they
can, when used with appropriate equipment, quickly stack a large quantity of banknotes.
One purpose of the equipment with which they are used is to sort and count banknotes
prior to secure transportation to another location. For example, a large retail store
may wish to count banknotes and sort them into different denominations before they
are transported to a bank for deposit.
[0004] The use just described comes with some significant problems, however. The cassettes
are bulky, making them more difficult to transport. They are also expensive and, when
used for transportation of banknotes, more cassettes have to be provided than would
otherwise be the case because it is necessary to replace a cassette removed from banknote
processing equipment during the transportation operation so that the equipment can
continue to be used in that time.
[0005] It is possible to remove banknotes from the cassettes after processing by the banknote
storage equipment and transfer them to other containers. However, this is a cumbersome
process, and it is difficult to retain the compactness and neatness of a stack of
banknotes when it is manually transferred to another container. Furthermore, it provides
more opportunities for pilfering as it allows more human contact with the banknotes
than when they remain sealed in the cassettes. Documents
US2015/097332,
US2014/331612 and
DE102009015047 describe banknote storage cassettes according to the state of the art.
[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a banknote
storage cassette for storing banknotes within a bag held within the cassette, the
bag having a base and an open mouth joined by flexible bag material, wherein the banknote
storage cassette comprises:
a bag registration feature for holding, in use, an open mouth of a bag at a fixed
location;
a base plate biased towards the fixed location, thereby capable of urging, in use,
a base of the bag that is in contact with the biasing element towards an initial position;
a pushing surface moveable between a retracted position in which it defines, at least
in part, a first side of a banknote stacking space within which a stack of banknotes
can be formed and an advanced position in which it reaches at least as far as a position
that is a predefined distance from the initial position in a direction towards the
retracted position, thereby pushing a stack of banknotes formed in the banknote stacking
space onto the base of the bag;
at least one stacking surface moveable between a stacking position in which it defines,
at least in part, a second side of the banknote stacking space that is opposite to
the first side, and a loading position in which it allows passage of the pushing surface
as it moves from the retracted to the advanced position; and
at least one banknote retaining element for holding, in use, a stack of banknotes
against a base of the bag when the pushing surface is in the retracted position, wherein
each of said at least one banknote retaining element is a finger projecting towards
the initial position; and wherein each of said one or more banknote retaining element
is integral with a corresponding stacking surface.
[0007] The invention thus provides a banknote storage cassette that allows a stack of banknotes
to be formed and then pushed into a bag within the cassette. When a desired quantity
of banknotes has been stored in the bag, it can be removed from the cassette to allow
the banknotes to be transported. This is far cheaper and less cumbersome than transporting
a bulky cassette. Furthermore, the neatness and compactness of the stack of banknotes
is not disrupted, and the opportunities for pilfering are diminished because the bag
can be provided with security features (as will be explained below) so that the bag
is sealed, whereby removal of banknotes is prevented without the bag being damaged.
[0008] When in the advanced position, the pushing surface may reach the initial position.
In some variants, the pushing surface may reach beyond the initial position when in
the advanced position.
[0009] The base of the bag may be a rigid base. Alternatively, it may be flexible, possibly
being made from the same material as the side walls of the bag. In this case, the
base and side walls may be integral.
[0010] In one variant, the bag registration feature comprises one or more clamps for holding
the open mouth of the bag. Thus, this variant may be used with a bag which has no
special features at the open mouth.
[0011] However, the bag registration feature usually comprises a pair of parallel recesses
for receiving opposite sides of a frame defining the open mouth of the bag. The use
of the frame makes a well-defined entry shape into a bag and allows the interface
between the open mouth of the bag and the cassette to be simplified (the use of clamps
is no longer required).
[0012] The biasing element is a baseplate. The baseplate may be a metal or plastic plate
that can travel along the cassette to accommodate movement of a base of a bag as the
stacks of banknotes are pushed into the bag, forcing the base away from the initial
position.
[0013] The base plate may be biased towards the fixed location by one or more springs. The
banknote storage cassette may further comprise a banknote transport for conveying
banknotes from a banknote input to the banknote stacking space.
[0014] The banknote retaining element may be integral with a corresponding stacking surface.
Alternatively, the or each banknote retaining element may be separate to the stacking
surface or surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the or each banknote retaining element
is a finger projecting towards the initial position.
[0015] Where the or each banknote retaining element is integral with a corresponding stacking
surface, the or each banknote retaining element will move with the corresponding stacking
surface as it moves between the stacking and loading positions. In this case, the
advanced position of the pushing surface may be further from the retracted position
than the furthest position reached by the or each banknote retaining element from
the retracted position as the corresponding stacking surface moves between the stacking
and loading positions.
[0016] The stacking surface may comprise a projection which is moveable in a direction to
allow passage of the pushing surface from the advanced to the retracted position but
is fixed in the opposite direction. Typically, the or each projection is mounted to
a corresponding one of the stacking surfaces by way of a pivot. In this way, the or
each projection may extend beyond the corresponding one of the stacking surfaces,
thereby in effect enlarging the stacking surface so that smaller banknotes can be
properly stacked. Since the rotation about the pivot is fixed in the opposite direction,
the pressure imposed by a stack of banknotes will not move the projection(s) out of
the way. However, since the projection(s) may rotate about the pivot in the opposite
direction, they do not hinder the passage of the pushing surface from the advanced
to the retracted position.
[0017] The banknote storage cassette may further comprise a ramp which provides a surface
for raising a stack of banknotes to a desired height for stacking on the base of the
bag as the pushing surface moves from the retracted to the advanced position.
[0018] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for
modifying a banknote storage cassette to enable it to store banknotes within a bag
having a base and an open mouth joined by flexible bag material, the method comprising:
providing a bag registration feature for holding, in use, an open mouth of a bag at
a fixed location;
providing a pushing surface moveable between a retracted position in which it defines,
at least in part, a first side of a banknote stacking space within which a stack of
banknotes can be formed and an advanced position in which it reaches at least as far
as a position that is a predefined distance from the initial position in a direction
towards the retracted position, thereby pushing a stack of banknotes formed in the
banknote stacking space onto the base of the bag;
providing at least one stacking surface moveable between a stacking position in which
it defines, at least in part, a second side of the banknote stacking space that is
opposite to the first side, and a loading position in which it allows passage of the
pushing surface as it moves from the retracted to the advanced position; and
providing at least one banknote retaining element for holding, in use, a stack of
banknotes against a base of the bag when the pushing surface is in the retracted position,
wherein each of said at least one banknote retaining element is a finger projecting
towards the initial position; and wherein each of said one or more banknote retaining
element is integral with a corresponding stacking surface.
[0019] The invention, therefore, also provides a way for modifying existing cassettes so
that they can be used to store banknotes within a bag. Thus, there is no need to replace
existing cassettes to take advantage of the effects of the invention discussed above.
[0020] Existing cassettes often already have a biasing element (such as a baseplate) which
is biased towards a fixed location. When already present, this is used for providing
a base upon which a stack of banknotes can be formed. However, where such a biasing
element is not provided, the method may further comprise providing a base plate biased
towards the fixed location, thereby capable of contacting, in use, the base of the
bag and urging it towards the initial position. The base plate may be made of metal
or plastic.
[0021] When in the advanced position, the pushing surface may reach the initial position.
In some variants, the pushing surface may reach beyond the initial position when in
the advanced position. The advanced position of the pushing surface may be further
from the retracted position than the furthest position reached by the or each banknote
retaining element from the retracted position as a stacking surface corresponding
to the banknote retaining element moves between the stacking and loading positions.
[0022] The base of the bag may be a rigid base. Alternatively, it may be flexible, possibly
being made from the same material as the side walls of the bag. In this case, the
base and side walls may be integral.
[0023] The bag registration feature may hold the open mouth of the bag by clamping the open
mouth of the bag.
[0024] Alternatively, the step of providing the bag registration feature may include providing
a pair of parallel recesses for receiving opposite sides of a frame defining the open
mouth of the bag.
[0025] The step of providing at least one stacking surface may comprise providing, for the
or each stacking surface, a projection which is moveable in a direction to allow passage
of the pushing surface from the advanced to the retracted position but is fixed in
the opposite direction.
[0026] The method may further comprise providing a ramp which provides a surface for raising
a stack of banknotes to a desired height for stacking on the base as the pushing surface
moves from the retracted to the advanced position.
[0027] This example is not covered by the claims and provides a bag for storing banknotes,
the bag comprising an open mouth joined to a rigid base by flexible bag material,
the rigid base comprising a banknote stacking surface which has a perimeter that fits
entirely within that of the open mouth such that, when in a collapsed configuration,
the flexible bag material can occupy a space around the banknote stacking surface
so that banknotes can be stacked on the banknote stacking surface through the open
mouth.
[0028] The space around the banknote stacking surface allows the bag to be collapsed with
the flexible material gathered around the banknote stacking surface so that this surface
is kept clear for stacking banknotes on it. The collapsed bag can therefore be put
into a cassette as described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention,
and as banknotes are pushed into the bag and onto the banknote stacking surface, this
surface is pushed away from the open mouth. The bag expands as this occurs, enveloping
the banknotes pushed into the bag.
[0029] The open mouth may be formed by a free end of the flexible bag material.
[0030] Alternatively, the open mouth may be formed by a rigid frame in which the flexible
bag material is trapped. In this case, the rigid frame may comprise a slot for insertion
of a closure and a locking element to prevent withdrawal of the closure after insertion.
[0031] The space around the banknote stacking surface may be defined by a recess within
the rigid base.
[0032] This example is not covered by the claims and provides a method of preparing a bag
having a rigid base and an open mouth joined by flexible bag material for storing
banknotes, the method comprising:
inserting a former into the bag to hold it open;
inserting the opened bag into a frame through a first open end;
clamping the open mouth at the first open end;
pushing the rigid base towards the open mouth so that the flexible bag material occupies
a space around a banknote stacking surface on the rigid base.
[0033] The invention therefore provides a way in which the bag may be prepared for use.
During this preparation, the bag is collapsed with the flexible bag material gathered
around the space around the banknote stacking surface so that this surface is kept
clear for banknotes to be stacked on it.
[0034] The rigid base may be pushed towards the open mouth through a second open end of
the frame opposite to the first open end.
[0035] The method may further comprise withdrawing the bag from the frame after pushing
the rigid base towards the open mouth.
[0036] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an external view of a cassette according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a cross-section through part of the cassette of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows various components of the mechanism used for loading notes into a bag
within the cassette in isolation of other components of the cassette of Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a side view of one component that forms a stacking surface and banknote
retaining element.
Figure 5 shows a top view of a bag registration feature with a top frame of a bag
located in it.
Figures 6a to 6c show a bag for use with the invention and illustrates the process
of preparing the bag for storing banknotes.
Figure 7 shows a detailed view of a top frame for the bag.
Figure 8 shows a top view of the rigid base of the bag.
[0037] In Figure 1, a banknote storage cassette is shown. The cassette comprises a housing
1 within which a banknote infeed, transport mechanism and stacking mechanism are housed.
The banknote infeed receives banknotes from a transport in banknote processing equipment
with which the cassette may be used for storing banknotes. The transport mechanism
takes the banknotes from the banknote infeed and transports them to a stacking mechanism
which forms a stack of banknotes. The banknote infeed, transport mechanism and stacking
mechanism are not illustrated in the figures as they are not directly relevant to
an understanding of the invention.
[0038] The cassette is provided with a lid 2 that is hinged to the housing. In the embodiment
shown in Figure 1, an aperture in the lid provides access to a cavity 3 within the
housing 1. The cavity 3 provides a space to accommodate a growing bag as banknotes
are loaded into it. The aperture in the lid allows the bag to be inserted into and
withdrawn from the cassette without needing to open the lid. In other embodiments,
the lid may not have the aperture shown in Figure 1. In this case, the lid must be
opened in order to load a bag for storing banknotes or to unload the filled bag. The
lid may have a lock so that it can only be opened with a key.
[0039] Figure 2 shows a cross-section through a part of the cassette housing 1 in which
the mechanism for storing banknotes within a bag held within the cassette can be seen.
Figure 3 shows these elements in isolation for improved clarity. A pusher 10 is disposed
above a base surface 14 of the cassette. The pusher 10 is formed so that it has a
surface parallel to the base surface 14 which extends into a pushing surface 10a that
is perpendicular to the base surface 14. The pusher 10 and pushing surface 10a are
shown in a retracted position but are moveable in a direction towards the bag registration
feature 13 to an advanced position. The pusher 10 and pushing surface 10a are moved
between the retracted and advanced positions by a drive mechanism, for example a belt
drive mechanism housed in a side wall of housing 1, forming part of the cassette.
The drive mechanism is typically actuated by a motor drive in the equipment to which
the cassette is fitted in use.
[0040] The retracted position of the pushing surface 10a shown in Figure 2 is such that
a banknote stacking space, within which a stack of banknotes can be formed, exists
between the pushing surface 10a and stacking surfaces 11a-11e. The pushing surface
10a thus forms a first side of the banknote stacking space, and the stacking surfaces
11a-11e form a second side of the banknote stacking space that is opposite to the
first side.
[0041] As mentioned above, the banknote infeed, transport mechanism and stacking mechanism
are not shown in the drawings. However, the banknote infeed receives banknotes, typically
between opposed pinch rollers, at the right-hand side (as seen in Figure 2) of cassette
housing 1 and passes them to the transport mechanism which feeds them along a path
running parallel to the base surface 14 and between the base surface 14 and the surface
of pusher 10 parallel to the base surface 14. The transport mechanism will usually
comprise opposed belts entrained around rollers so that the banknotes can be trapped
between the opposed belts and moved along the path. The stacking mechanism turns the
banknotes through a right angle using a tine wheel so that they stand vertically (as
seen in Figure 2) and form a stack of banknotes in the banknote stacking space resting
against the stacking surfaces 11a-11e.
[0042] The stacking surfaces are joined together by a bar 18 which is coupled to the side
walls of the housing 1 at each of its ends by a respective pivot. These pivots allow
the bar and the stacking surfaces 11a-11e to rotate from the stacking position shown
in Figure 2 in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figure 2) but prevent rotation in
an anti-clockwise direction beyond the position in which the stacking surfaces 11a-11e
are shown in Figure 2. However, there is sufficient inertia and friction in the pivot
to prevent the bar 18 and stacking surfaces 11a-11e rotating under the weight of a
stack of banknotes. Once a stack of banknotes has been formed in the banknote stacking
space, the pusher 10 and pushing surface 10a can be moved to the advanced position
to push the stack of banknotes into a bag within the cavity 3. This process will be
described in more detail below. However, as the pusher 10 and pushing surface 10a
move from the retracted to the advanced position, the stacking surfaces 11a-11e rotate
in a clockwise direction (as seen in Figure 2) into a loading position to allow the
passage of the stack of banknotes and the pusher 10. Once the stack of banknotes has
passed the stacking surfaces 11a-11e, they can begin to rotate in an anti-clockwise
direction (as seen in Figure 2) back towards the stacking position shown in Figure
2.
[0043] Projecting from the stacking surfaces 11a-11e are a set of banknote retaining elements
in the form of fingers 12a-12e. These are integral with the stacking surfaces 11a-11e.
When the stacking surfaces 11a-11e are in the stacking position, the fingers 12a-12b
engage with the outermost surface of an outermost banknote in a stack formed within
the bag to prevent the stack falling apart.
[0044] A detailed side view of one of the stacking surfaces 11a and the corresponding finger
12a is shown in Figure 4. As can be seen, the stacking surface 11a comprises a projection
19a coupled to the main part of the stacking surface 11a by a pivot 20a. This allows
the projection 19a to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction (as seen in Figure 4)
but not in the clockwise direction. Thus, the projection 19a (and corresponding projections
fitted to the other stacking surfaces 11b-11e) provides support for shorter banknotes
being stacked which might not reach the bottom of the main part of the stacking surfaces
11a-11e when resting on the base surface 14. However, the projection 19a can swing
out of the way to allow passage of a part of pusher 10 (not seen in the figures but
which couples the visible parts of pusher 10 to the drive mechanism) as the pusher
10 moves from the advanced to the retracted position.
[0045] The bag registration feature 13 is fitted to the base surface 14 and side walls of
housing 1. It comprises a pair of parallel flanges 15a and 15b running along the side
walls and the base of the registration feature 13. The flanges 15a and 15b create
a recess 16 between them. The structure of the bag will be described in detail later,
but in summary it has a rigid base and a rigid frame around the open end, the rigid
base and frame being joined by the flexible bag material. The recess 16 provides a
locating feature for the rigid frame 21 which can slot into the recess 16 as shown
in Figure 5. Thus, the rigid frame 21 and open mouth of the bag cannot move longitudinally
along the cassette and are held at a fixed location by the bag registration feature
13. Figure 5 shows the rigid frame in isolation of the other parts of the bag for
clarity.
[0046] Initially, the rigid base of the bag is located in close proximity to the rigid frame
21. A banknote stacking surface of the rigid base occupies an initial location. The
rigid base is urged towards the initial location by a spring-loaded baseplate that
is part of the cassette and contacts the rigid base. As a stack of banknotes is formed
on the banknote stacking surface, the rigid base, and hence the spring-loaded baseplate,
are forced away from the initial position to accommodate the stack. As mentioned above,
the fingers 12a-12d bear against the outermost banknote on the stack to hold the stack
together against the banknote stacking surface.
[0047] When a stack of banknotes has been formed in the banknote stacking space, the pusher
10 and pushing surface 10a are moved from the retracted position to the advanced position
to push the stack into the bag. As already described, during the movement of the pusher
10 and pushing surface 10a, the stack forces the stacking surfaces 11a-11e and fingers
12a-12e to rotate from the stacking position to the loading position so that the stack
can pass beneath them. A ramp 17 lifts the stack so that it clears the flanges 15a
and 15b and the edge of the rigid frame 21 and can be advanced into the bag. The stack
will either be pushed into contact with the banknote stacking surface of the rigid
base of the bag (if the stack represents the first notes to be pushed into the bag)
or into contact with notes already stacked onto the banknote stacking surface.
[0048] The advanced position must be such that the pushing surface 10a reaches at least
as far as a position that is the thickness of the stack away from the initial position
in the direction towards the retracted position. This ensures that the stack being
pushed into the bag will come into contact with the banknote stacking surface or outermost
banknote in the stack on the banknote stacking surface. The thickness of the stack
will be known as it is a predefined value depending on the number of banknotes stacked
in the banknote stacking space. In practice, the advanced position will normally be
such that the pushing surface 10a reaches the initial position, or even slightly beyond
it, to the stack is advanced satisfactorily into the bag. The baseplate can move against
its springs to accommodate the movement of the pushing surface 10a towards the advanced
position as required.
[0049] In the kind of arrangement shown in Figures 2 to 4, it is important that the advanced
position is such that the outermost banknote in the stack is pushed beyond the furthest
point to which the fingers 12a-12e reach as the stacking surfaces 11a-11e rotate between
the stacking and loading positions. This enable the stacking surfaces 11a-11e to fall
back into the stacking position when the stack of banknotes has been pushed into the
bag without the fingers 12a-12e colliding with the banknotes. They are therefore in
the correct position to retain the banknotes in the stack on the banknote stacking
surface.
[0050] When the pushing surface 10a has reached the advanced position, it can then reverse
its motion back to the retracted position. As it does so, the spring-loaded baseplate
will push the rigid base of the bag, and hence the stack of banknotes on the banknote
stacking surface, back towards the initial position. The fingers 12a-12e will engage
with the outermost banknote in the stack and keep the stack in good formation. Once
the pusher 10 and pushing surface 10a have returned to the retracted position, the
cycle can start again and more banknotes can be stacked in the banknote stacking space
for subsequent storage in the bag.
[0051] The design of cassette presented above is such that the features may be retrofitted
to existing cassettes. Thus, to modify an existing cassette, it is simply necessary
to provide the bag registration feature 13, the pusher 10 and pushing surface 10a,
ramp 17, the stacking surfaces 11a-11e joined together by bar 18 and the integral
fingers 12a-12e.
[0052] In more detail, it may be necessary to remove an existing pusher and replace it with
the pusher 10 where the length of the existing pusher is not appropriate, for example,
if it will not reach as far as is required. As will be appreciated from the above
description, it is important that the pushing surface 10a reaches at least as far
as a position that is the thickness of the stack away from the initial position in
the direction towards the retracted position (in practice, it will usually be arranged
to reach as far as the initial position). It must also reach beyond the furthest point
to which the fingers 12a-12e reach as the stacking surfaces 11a-11e rotate between
the stacking and loading positions. The length of the pusher 10 can be adjusted to
achieve this depending on how far the existing drive mechanism moves as it is actuated
towards the advanced position. The pusher 10 is coupled to the existing drive mechanism.
[0053] The assembly of stacking surfaces 11a-11e, fingers 12a-12e, projections 19a-19e and
bar 18 can be made up outside of the cassette being modified and fitted to the cassette
by pivoting bar 18 in the side walls such that it can rotate in a clockwise direction
only. The fingers 12a-12e project towards the initial location (and can be appropriately
sized to do so) to ensure that they retain banknotes on the stack formed in the bag.
[0054] The bag retaining element 13 and ramp 17 can be fixed to the base surface and/or
side walls of the housing 1 by screws or rivets. Its location will fix the initial
location of the rigid base.
[0055] In some circumstance, it may be necessary to provide a spring-loaded baseplate to
urge the rigid base of the bag towards the initial location. However, this is usually
not necessary as most cassettes already have such a baseplate against which banknote
stacks can be formed when the cassette is used in its unmodified form without a bag.
[0056] Figure 6a-6c, 7 and 8 show the structure of the bag and illustrate a method for preparing
it for use with the cassette. The rigid base of the bag is shown in Figures 6a-6c
in cross-section from the side, and in Figure 8 it is shown from above in isolation
of other parts of the bag. The rigid base comprises a outer rim 32 and a banknote
stacking platform 33, the top of which represents the banknote stacking surface referred
to above. The outer rim 32 extends beyond the platform 33 to leave a recess 34 between
them. The flexible bag material 31 which forms the side walls of the bag couples the
rigid base to the rigid frame 30. The flexible bag material 31 is trapped between
the outer rim 32 and a banknote stacking platform 33 to couple it to the rigid base.
Similarly, the frame 30 has inner and outer parts which irreversibly clip together
to trap the free end of the flexible bag material 31 between them, thereby forming
an open mouth for access to the bag. The recess 34 can receive the flexible bag material
31 so that the bag can be collapsed without the flexible bag material 31 covering
the banknote stacking platform 33. This ensures that the flexible bag material 31
does not hinder the formation of a stack of banknotes in the bag.
[0057] To achieve this, the bag is first opened fully by separating the rigid frame 30 as
far as possible from the rigid base as shown in Figure 6a. A former 40 is then pushed
through the frame 30 into the bag until it contacts the banknote stacking platform
33. The former 40 has a cross-sectional size that is the same as the size of the platform
33. It is therefore not possible for the flexible bag material 31 to contact the platform
33 when the former 40 is in place on top of it.
[0058] The bag and former 40 are then placed into a forming chamber 41 which is open at
both ends. The chamber 41 is sized to support the rigid frame 30 of the bag so that
this rests on a flange at the top of the chamber. A mandrel 42 is then pressed into
the chamber 41 from the opposite end. This forces rigid base towards the frame 30
so that the flexible bag material 31 collapses. As it collapses, it can only occupy
the space within the recess 34. The end result is as shown in Figure 6c with the rigid
base and the rigid frame 30 of the bag in close proximity with the flexible bag material
31 contained within the recess 34 so that the whole of the banknote stacking platform
is available for receiving a stack of banknotes pushed through the frame 30 into the
bag.
[0059] When a bag has been loaded, a closure 51 can be slid through a slot 50 in the frame
30 to close the open end of the bag. Tabs 52 engage with slots 53 in the frame to
ensure good registration of the free end of closure 51 and prevent it from being pushed
or pulled to enable access to a bag loaded with banknotes. The closure 51 and frame
30 may be provided with features to ensure that the closure 51 cannot be removed once
it has been inserted into slot 50, and the frame 30 may be provided with features
that prevent it from being removed from the recess 16 until the closure 51 has been
inserted into slot 50. These additional features enhance the security of the arrangement
because opportunities for pilfering are reduced without leaving evidence of the pilfering
by destruction of the bag or part of it. Once the closure 51 has been put in the slot
50, the bag may be withdrawn from the cassette.
1. A banknote storage cassette (1) for storing banknotes within a bag held within the
cassette, the bag having a base and an open mouth joined by flexible bag material,
wherein the banknote storage cassette comprises:
a bag registration feature (13) for holding, in use, an open mouth of a bag at a fixed
location;
a base plate being biased towards the fixed location, thereby capable of urging, in
use, a base of the bag that is in contact with the base plate towards an initial position;
a pushing surface (10a) moveable between a retracted position in which it defines,
at least in part, a first side of a banknote stacking space within which a stack of
banknotes can be formed and an advanced position in which it reaches at least as far
as a position that is a predefined distance from the initial position in a direction
towards the retracted position, thereby pushing a stack of banknotes formed in the
banknote stacking space onto the base of the bag;
at least one stacking surface (11a-e) moveable between a stacking position in which
it defines, at least in part, a second side of the banknote stacking space that is
opposite to the first side, and a loading position in which it allows passage of the
pushing surface as it moves from the retracted to the advanced position; and
at least one banknote retaining element (12a-e) for holding, in use, a stack of banknotes
against a base of the bag when the pushing surface is in the retracted position,
wherein each of said at least one banknote retaining element is a finger projecting
towards the initial position; and wherein each of said one or more banknote retaining
element is integral with a corresponding stacking surface.
2. A banknote storage cassette according to claim 1, wherein the bag registration feature
comprises one or more clamps for holding the open mouth of the bag.
3. A banknote storage cassette according to claim 1, wherein the bag registration feature
comprises a pair of parallel recesses for receiving opposite sides of a frame defining
the open mouth of the bag.
4. A banknote storage cassette according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
base plate is biased towards the fixed location by one or more springs.
5. A banknote storage cassette according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising
a banknote transport for conveying banknotes from a banknote input to the banknote
stacking space.
6. A banknote storage cassette according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
or each stacking surface comprises a projection which is moveable in a direction to
allow passage of the pushing surface from the advanced to the retracted position but
is fixed in the opposite direction.
7. A banknote storage cassette according to any of the preceding claims further comprising
a ramp which provides a surface for raising a stack of banknotes to a desired height
for stacking on the base as the pushing surface moves from the retracted to the advanced
position.
8. A method for modifying a banknote storage cassette (1) to enable it to store banknotes
within a bag having a base and an open mouth joined by flexible bag material, the
method comprising:
providing a bag registration feature (13) for holding, in use, an open mouth of a
bag at a fixed location;
providing a pushing surface (10a) moveable between a retracted position in which it
defines, at least in part, a first side of a banknote stacking space within which
a stack of banknotes can be formed and an advanced position in which it reaches at
least as far as a position that is a predefined distance from the initial position
in a direction towards the retracted position, thereby pushing a stack of banknotes
formed in the banknote stacking space onto the base of the bag;
providing at least one stacking surface (11a-e) moveable between a stacking position
in which it defines, at least in part, a second side of the banknote stacking space
that is opposite to the first side, and a loading position in which it allows passage
of the pushing surface as it moves from the retracted to the advanced position; and
providing at least one banknote retaining element (12a-e) for holding, in use, a stack
of banknotes against a base of the bag when the pushing surface is in the retracted
position,
wherein each of said at least one banknote retaining element is a finger projecting
towards the initial position; and wherein each of said one or more banknote retaining
element is integral with a corresponding stacking surface.
9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising providing a biasing element biased
towards the fixed location, thereby capable of contacting, in use, the base of the
bag and urging it towards the initial position.
10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the bag registration feature (13)
holds the open mouth of the bag by clamping the open mouth of the bag.
11. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the step of providing the bag registration
feature includes providing a pair of parallel recesses for receiving opposite sides
of a frame defining the open mouth of the bag.
1. Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette (1), um Banknoten innerhalb eines Beutels, der innerhalb
der Kassette gehalten wird, aufzubewahren, wobei der Beutel einen Boden und einen
offenen Eingang, die beide durch ein flexibles Beutelmaterial verbunden sind, aufweist,
wobei die Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette umfasst:
ein Beutelerfassungsmerkmal (13), um in der Anwendung einen offenen Eingang eines
Beutels an einem festen Ort zu halten;
eine Bodenplatte, die in Richtung des festen Orts vorgespannt ist, wodurch sie in
der Anwendung in der Lage ist, einen Boden der Tasche, der sich im Kontakt mit der
Bodenplatte befindet, in eine anfängliche Position zu drücken;
eine Schiebefläche (10a), die zwischen einer eingezogenen Position, in der sie mindestens
teilweise eine erste Seite eines Banknotenstapelraums definiert, innerhalb dessen
ein Stapel von Banknoten gebildet werden kann,
und einer ausgefahrenen Positionen, in der sie mindestens so weit wie möglich eine
Position erreicht, die sich in einem vordefinierten Abstand von der anfänglichen Position
in einer Richtung zu der eingezogenen Position befindet, beweglich ist, wodurch ein
Stapel von Banknoten, der in dem Banknotenstapelraum gebildet worden ist, auf den
Boden des Beutels geschoben wird;
mindestens eine Stapeloberfläche (11a-e), die zwischen einer Stapelposition, in der
sie mindestens teilweise eine zweite Seite des Banknotenstapelraums definiert, die
gegenüber der ersten Seite liegt, und einer Ladungsposition, in der ein Durchlass
der Schiebefläche ermöglicht wird, wenn sich diese von der ausgefahrenen Position
zu der eingezogenen Position bewegt, beweglich ist; und
mindestens ein Banknotenrückhalteelement (12a-e), um in der Anwendung einen Stapel
von Banknoten gegen einen Boden des Beutels zu halten, wenn sich die Schiebefläche
in der eingezogenen Position befindet,
wobei jedes des mindestens einen Banknotenrückhalteelements einen Finger darstellt,
der zu der anfänglichen Position übersteht; und wobei jedes des einen oder der mehreren
Banknotenrückhalteelemente einstückig mit einer entsprechenden Stapeloberfläche gebildet
ist.
2. Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Beutelerfassungsmerkmal
eine oder mehrere Klemmen umfasst, um den offenen Eingang des Beutels zu halten.
3. Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Beutelerfassungsmerkmal
ein Paar von parallelen Einschnitten umfasst, um gegenüberliegende Seiten eines Rahmens
aufzunehmen, der den offenen Eingang des Beutels definiert.
4. Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die
Bodenplatte durch eine oder mehrere Federn in Richtung des festen Ortes vorgespannt
ist.
5. Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die ferner
einen Banknotentransport umfasst, um Banknoten von einer Banknoteneingabe zu dem Banknotenstapelraum
zu transportieren.
6. Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die
oder jede Stapeloberfläche einen Überstand umfasst, der in einer Richtung beweglich
ist, um einen Durchlass der Schiebefläche von der ausgefahrenen Position zu der eingezogenen
Position zu ermöglichen, aber in der gegenüberliegenden Richtung fest ist.
7. Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die ferner
eine Rampe umfasst, die eine Oberfläche bereitstellt, um einen Stapel von Banknoten
auf eine gewünschte Höhe anzuheben, um ihn auf dem Boden zu stapeln, wenn sich die
Schiebefläche von der eingezogenen Position zu der ausgefahrenen Position bewegt.
8. Verfahren zum Modifizieren einer Banknotenaufbewahrungskassette (1), um dieser zu
ermöglichen, Banknoten innerhalb eines Beutels aufzubewahren, der einen Boden und
einen offenen Eingang, die beide durch ein flexibles Beutelmaterial verbunden sind,
aufweist, wobei das Verfahren umfasst:
Bereitstellen eines Beutelerfassungsmerkmals (13), um in der Anwendung einen offenen
Eingang eines Beutels an einem festen Ort zu halten;
Bereitstellen einer Schiebefläche (10a), die zwischen einer eingezogenen Position,
in der sie mindestens teilweise eine erste Seite eines Banknotenstapelraums definiert,
innerhalb dessen ein Stapel von Banknoten gebildet werden kann, und einer ausgefahrenen
Positionen, in der sie mindestens so weit wie möglich eine Position erreicht, die
sich in einem vordefinierten Abstand von der anfänglichen Position in einer Richtung
zu der eingezogenen Position befindet, beweglich ist, wodurch ein Stapel von Banknoten,
der in dem Banknotenstapelraum gebildet worden ist, auf den Boden des Beutels geschoben
wird;
Bereitstellen mindestens einer Stapeloberfläche (11a-e), die zwischen einer Stapelposition,
in der sie mindestens teilweise eine zweite Seite des Banknotenstapelraums definiert,
die gegenüber der ersten Seite liegt, und einer Ladungsposition, in der ein Durchlass
der Schiebefläche ermöglicht wird, wenn sich diese von der ausgefahrenen Position
zu der eingezogenen Position bewegt, beweglich ist; und
Bereitstellen eines Banknotenrückhalteelements (12a-e), um in der Anwendung einen
Stapel von Banknoten gegen einen Boden des Beutels zu halten, wenn sich die Schiebefläche
in der eingezogenen Position befindet, wobei jedes des mindestens einen Banknotenrückhalteelements
einen Finger darstellt, der zu der anfänglichen Position übersteht; und wobei jedes
des einen oder der mehreren Banknotenrückhalteelemente einstückig mit einer entsprechenden
Stapeloberfläche gebildet ist.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, das ferner ein Bereitstellen eines Vorspannelements umfasst,
das in Richtung des festen Ortes vorgespannt ist, wodurch es in der Lage ist, in der
Anwendung mit dem Boden des Beutels in Kontakt zu treten, und diesen in die Richtung
der anfänglichen Position zu drücken.
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei das Beutelerfassungsmerkmal (13) den offenen
Eingang des Beutels hält, indem der offene Eingang des Beutels geklemmt wird.
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei der Schritt des Bereitstellens des Beutelerfassungsmerkmals
ein Bereitstellen eines Paares von parallelen Einschnitten enthält, um gegenüberliegende
Seiten eines Rahmens aufzunehmen, der den offenen Eingang des Beutels definiert.
1. Cassette de stockage de billets de banque (1) destinée à stocker des billets de banque
dans un sacre retenu dans la cassette, le sac ayant une base et une embouchure ouverte
jointes par du matériau de sac souple, la cassette de stockage de billets de banque
comprenant:
un élément d'enregistrement de sac (13) pour retenir, en cours d'utilisation, une
embouchure ouverte d'un sac à un emplacement fixe;
une plaque de base étant inclinée vers l'emplacement fixe, en étant ainsi capable
de pousser, en cours d'utilisation une base de sac qui est en contact avec la plaque
de base vers une position initiale;
une surface de poussée (10a) mobile entre une position rétractée dans laquelle elle
définit, au moins en partie, une première face d'un espace d'empilement de billets
de banque dans lequel une pile de billets de banque peut être formée et une position
avancée dans laquelle elle va au moins aussi loin qu'une position qui est une distance
prédéfinie depuis la position initiale dans un sens dirigé vers la position rétractée,
en poussant ainsi une pile de billets de banque formée dans l'espace d'empilement
de billets de banque sur la base du sac;
au moins une surface d'empilement (11a-e) mobile entre une position d'empilement dans
laquelle elle définit, au moins en partie, une seconde face de l'espace d'empilement
de billets de banque qui est opposée à la première face, et une position de chargement
dans laquelle elle permet le passage de la surface de poussée lorsqu'elle passe de
la position rétractée à la position avancée; et
au moins un élément de retenue de billets de banque (12a-e) pour retenir, en cours
d'utilisation, une pile de billets de banque contre une base du sac lorsque la surface
de poussée est dans la position rétractée, chacun dudit au moins un élément de retenue
de billets de banque étant un doigt saillant vers la position initiale, et chacun
dudit au moins un élément de retenue de billets de banque formant partie intégrante
d'une surface d'empilement correspondante.
2. Cassette de stockage de billets de banque selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle
l'élément d'enregistrement de sac comprend une ou plusieurs pinces pour retenir l'embouchure
ouverte du sac.
3. Cassette de stockage de billets de banque selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle
l'élément d'enregistrement de sac comprend une paire de retraits parallèles destinés
à recevoir des faces opposées d'un cadre définissant l'embouchure ouverte du sac.
4. Cassette de stockage de billets de banque selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, dans laquelle la plaque de base est inclinée vers l'emplacement fixe
par un ou plusieurs ressorts.
5. Cassette de stockage de billets de banque selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, comprenant en outre système de transport de billets de banque pour convoyer
des billets de banque depuis une entrée de billets de banque vers l'espace d'empilement
de billets de banque.
6. Cassette de stockage de billets de banque selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, dans laquelle la ou chaque surface d'empilement comprend une saillie
qui est mobile dans un sens pour permettre le passage de la surface de poussée de
la position avancée à la position rétractée mais est fixe dans le sens opposé.
7. Cassette de stockage de billets de banque selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, comprenant en outre une rampe qui crée une surface pour soulever une
pile de billets de banque jusqu'à une hauteur désirée pour empilement sur la base
lorsque la surface de poussée passe de la position rétractée à la position avancée.
8. Procédé de modification d'une cassette de stockage de billets de banque (1) afin de
lui permettre de stocker des billets de banque dans un sac ayant une base et une embouchure
ouverte jointes par du matériau de sac flexible, ce procédé comprenant:
la prévision d'un élément d'enregistrement de sac (13) pour retenir, en cours d'utilisation,
une embouchure ouverte d'un sac à un emplacement fixe;
la prévision d'une surface de poussée (10a) mobile entre une position rétractée dans
laquelle elle définit, au moins en partie, une première face d'un espace d'empilement
de billets de banque dans lequel une pile de billets de banque peut être formée et
une position avancée dans laquelle elle va au moins aussi loin qu'une position qui
est une distance prédéfinie depuis la position initiale dans un sens dirigé vers la
position rétractée, en poussant ainsi une pile de billets de banque formée dans l'espace
d'empilement de billets de banque sur la base du sac;
la prévision d'au moins une surface d'empilement (11a-e) mobile entre une position
d'empilement dans laquelle elle définit, au moins en partie, une seconde face de l'espace
d'empilement de billets de banque qui est opposée à la première face, et une position
de chargement dans laquelle elle permet le passage de la surface de poussée lorsqu'elle
passe de la position rétractée à la position avancée; et
la prévision d'au moins un élément de retenue de billets de banque (12a-e) pour retenir,
en cours d'utilisation, une pile de billets de banque contre une base du sac lorsque
la surface de poussée est dans la position rétractée,
chacun dudit au moins un élément de retenue de billets de banque étant un doigt saillant
vers la position initiale, et chacun dudit au moins un élément de retenue de billets
de banque formant partie intégrante d'une surface d'empilement correspondante.
9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, comprenant en outre la prévision d'un élément d'inclinaison
incliné vers l'emplacement fixe et ainsi capable, en cours d'utilisation, de venir
en contact avec la base du sac et de le pousser vers la position initiale.
10. Procédé selon la revendication 8 ou la revendication 9, dans lequel l'élément d'enregistrement
de sac (13) retient l'embouchure ouverte du sac en serrant l'embouchure ouverte du
sac.
11. Procédé selon la revendication 8 ou la revendication 9, dans lequel l'étape de prévision
de l'élément d'enregistrement de sac inclut la prévision d'une paire de retraits parallèles
destinés à recevoir des faces opposées d'un cadre définissant l'embouchure ouverte
du sac.