GB2142318A - Banknote handling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

In cash dispensing machines of the kind in which notes are delivered to a platform (2), mounted for movement about a pivot (5) between a first position in which it forms the base of the note- receiving device and a second "dump" position, the pivoted platform (2) is formed with a slot. When the platform is pivoted to its "dump" position, its slot passes over an underlying plate (7) of finger, which thereby projects through the platform and breaks the contacts between the surface of the platform and any banknote which has remained on the surface due to electrostatic attraction, for example. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Banknote handling machines This invention relates to a banknote handling machine, for example a cash dispensing machine.

Most cash dispensing machine have a platform onto which notes are delivered at the customer's request to form a stack; the stack may be moved from the platform to a presentation position. Alternatively the platfrom may be within a chamber comprising a door which opens to permit removal of the notes by the customer. Provision is usually made for automatic removal of the notes from the platform if they are not removed within a given time or if the delivery of notes to the chamber has been faulty, for example if an insufficient or excessive quantity of notes has been dispensed.Thus, the platform may be pivotally mounted and a container, sometimes referred to as a "dump box", may be placed under the pivoted platform When automatic removal is required, the platform is pivoted away from its banknote-receiving position and any notes on the platform fall into the underlying container.

There is however still one problem, namely that sometimes the lowest note of a stack tends to stick to the surface of the pivoted platform, for example by electrostatic attraction.

According to the present invention, a banknote handling machine comprises a banknote receiving device, means for delivering banknotes to the device, a plate mounted for pivotal movement between a first position in which it forms the base of the banknotereceiving device and a second position, and a receptacle located under the pivoted plate for receiving from the pivoted plate any banknotes previously lying thereon when the plate is pivoted from its first to its second position; in this banknote handling machine, the pivoted plate is formed with an aperture or slot and the machine further comprises a member underlying the pivoted plate and so shaped and positioned that when the pivoted plate is moved from its first position to its second position, the aperture or slot in the plate passes over the underlying member, which thereby projects through the plate and breaks the contact between the surface of the plate and any remaining banknote.

In order that the invention may be better understood, an example of apparatus embodying the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in side elevation; Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Fig. 1 in front elevation; Figure 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention and shows the banknote-receiving chamber of a cash dispensing machine with the lid in a closed position; Figure 5 shows the banknote-receiving chamber of Fig. 4 with the door open to allow removal of the note; and Figure 6 shows the base plate of the banknote-receiving chamber of Fig. 4, pivoted to its "dump" position.

Apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is of the kind shown in the International Publication No.

WO 82/01435. This publication described an automatic banknote dispensing apparatus which comprises a stacker wheel for feeding banknotes to form a stack, with dispensing means for conveying the stack to a selected one of two presentation positions on opposite sides of the stacking position. At the stacking position, the plate on which the stack is formed is pivotable to enable the stack to be dropped or "dumped" into an underlying dump chamber in the case when the stack of notes formed is incorrect in some way.

Fig. 1 of the present application shows in broken line the stacker wheel 1 which delivers notes to the stacking compartment. This comprises a base plate 2 and a support plate 3 along one side of the base plate and against which the stack 4 is formed. The portion 2 of the base plate which receives the sheets, before they are pushed to a presentation position, is mounted for pivoting motion about a shaft 5, to enable the stack to be deposited in a "dump" box, as previously explained.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the base plate 2 (the underside of which is seen in Fig. 2) is formed with slots 6. Below the slots there are plates 7, so arranged that when the base plate 2 pivots downwards the slots pass over the plates 7, allowing these plates to project through the base plate and to dislodge any sheets which remain on the surface of the base plate. The plates 7 are integrally formed with brackets 8 by which the plates are fixed in the apparatus.

Figs. 4 to 6 show a further embodiment of the invention, in which a customer access module 10 of a cash dispenser is bolted to the outer wall 11 of a bank, so that the front wall of the module 10 is located in an aperture 12 of the outer wall. The front wall of the module includes an access aperture 1 3 which is normally closed by an access door 1 4 in the form of flap mounted to pivot about an axis 15.

Within the module is a support plate 1 6 mounted for pivotal movement about an axis 17. Banknotes are delivered to the module 10 by delivery rollers 1 8 when the support plate 16 and the flap 14 are in the positions shown in Fig. 4. The banknotes then form a stack on the support plate.

Referring to Fig. 5, when the delivery is complete, flap 14 (which was previously locked) is automatically released, allowing a customer to lift the flap and remove the banknotes 1 9 from the plate 1 6.

As shown in Fig. 5, the module 10 also contains a reject aperture 20 and a reject container 21 is located under the reject aperture so that when the support plate 1 6 is tilted, any remaining banknotes fall into the container 21.

As explained above, in the known forms of apparatus the bottom note of the stack sometimes tends to stick to the surface of the support plate.

In the form of apparatus shown in the drawings, the support plate 1 6 is formed with an aperture 22 and a finger-like member 23 is mounted on the rear surface on the front wall of the access module. As shown in Fig. 3, when the support plate 1 6 is pivoted to drop the banknotes 19 into the reject container 21, the finger 23 projects through the aperture 22 in the plate 1 6 and thereby dislodges any banknote which may have stuck to the surface of the plate.

Claims (4)

1. A banknote handling machine comprising a banknote receiving device, means for delivering banknotes to the device, a plate mounted for pivotal movement between a first position in which it forms the base of the banknote receiving device and a second position, and a receptacle under the pivoted plate for receiving any banknote on the pivoted plate when the plate is pivoted from its first position to its second position, and in which the pivoted plate is formed with an aperture or slot and the machine further comprises a member mounted to underlie the pivoted plate and so shaped and positioned that when the pivoted plate is moved from its first position towards its second position, the aperture or slot passes over the underlying member which thereby projects through the plate and breaks the contact between the surface of the plate and any banknote which has remained on the surface.

2. A banknote handling machine is accordance with claim 1, in which the pivoted plate is formed with two converging slots overlying two converging members fixed in the machine.

3. A banknote handling machine in accordance with claim 1, in the form of a cash dispenser, further comprising a door giving customer access to the banknote receiving chamber, the door being locked while the chamber is receiving notes from the delivery means, the lock being released when the delivery is complete, and the door being locked when the support plate is pivoted away from its first position.

4. A banknote handling machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.