RU2848669C2 - Device for unloading and stacking paper sheets and circulation-type paper sheet processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: stacking paper sheets.

SUBSTANCE: present invention comprises an unloading transport route along which paper sheets discharged from circulation units are transported to an unloading tray with their short side at the top, and a forming mechanism that forms the shape of the short side of each of the paper sheets transported along the unloading transport route into a predetermined shape along the entire length in the direction of the long edge, and which unloads the shaped paper sheet onto the unloading tray.

EFFECT: prevention of the stack of paper sheets discharged from the circulation unit onto the discharge tray from collapsing, as well as to avoid creasing the banknotes.

6 cl, 20 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet unloading and stacking apparatus and a circulation type paper sheet processing apparatus.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] As banknote processing devices installed in a banknote handling device that has the function of providing various goods or services upon receipt of an input banknote, such as a vending machine, a gaming media vending machine in a gaming hall, a ticket machine, a deposit/dispensing device and a circulation-type change machine are known, which can capture, store and dispense banknotes of various denominations.

The circulation type banknote processing device is equipped with a banknote storage unit for holding banknotes that are prepared in advance for issuance or that are introduced during operation in accordance with denominations or in a state where denominations are mixed.

As a banknote storage unit, there is a circulation type banknote storage unit, which has the function of dispensing banknotes as change when storing banknotes, and a joint banknote storage unit (collection container), which collects all the banknotes in the banknote processing device during closing or the like.

As a circulation type banknote storage unit, a type is known that stores banknotes between tapes wound around the outer circumferential surface of a circulation drum in a helical manner (spiral manner) so that they are superimposed on each other, as a "banknote handling device" described in Patent Literature 1.

The device described in this literature includes only one deposit/dispense unit, and banknotes to be deposited and banknotes to be withdrawn (change banknotes) are fed into and withdrawn from the device from this deposit/dispense unit.

[0003] When banknotes stacked on the outer circumferential surface of the circulation drum are superimposed on each other, with a belt provided between them, to be given out as change or the like, the banknotes on the outer circumference of the circulation drum are issued one by one by rotating the circulation drum in the dispensing direction and feeding the belts in the dispensing direction, and the banknotes are deposited on the outer circumferential surface of the drum holding the banknotes in a superimposed manner, and then issued to the deposit/dispensing unit.

[0004] The paper sheet processing device described in Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 6450041) is configured in such a way that a change dispensing outlet is provided separately from an input/output outlet through which banknotes are deposited or returned, and the banknotes are directly discharged from the circulation-type banknote storage unit to the outlet outlet. When a plurality of banknotes are to be dispensed as change in this configuration, the banknotes are discharged from the circulation-type banknote storage unit one by one to the outlet outlet, and the next second and subsequent banknotes are sequentially discharged after the user removes the first banknote. However, since it takes a long time to dispense all the banknotes of this type, there is a problem that the user's workload increases and the operating speed of the device decreases.

Meanwhile, there is also a type that reduces user waiting time by stacking banknotes dispensed one by one from a circulation-type banknote storage unit in a continuous stacking state onto a dispensing chute provided at the dispensing outlet, allowing the banknotes to be removed from the dispensing chute together after all banknotes have been discharged and stacked. However, in a circulation-type banknote storage unit that includes a circulation drum, since the banknotes are held in a wound state on the outer circumferential surface of the circulation drum, each banknote tends to curl along the long edge direction, and this curling tendency also persists on the dispensed banknotes. In particular, if banknotes which tend to curl with a shape in the long edge direction curved upward (the central portion in the long edge direction protrudes upward and both end portions are inclined downward) formed on them are discharged one by one onto a dispensing tray, even when the lifting of the rear end of the previously discharged banknote is restrained by the banknote holding lever, a stacking failure occurs such as a strike of the downward inclined front end of the next banknote against the previously folded banknote, which causes the banknote to fall out of the dispensing tray.

[0005] Furthermore, in the case where any of the banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray is a so-called crumpled banknote, which has a significantly reduced rigidity, the spatial position of the banknote on the dispensing tray naturally leads to a distortion in the alignment of the following banknotes. That is, a banknote having sufficient rigidity and discharged onto the dispensing tray falls onto the dispensing tray when the banknote holding lever is pushed upward and is held by the banknote holding lever after falling. However, a crumpled banknote, which has a significantly reduced rigidity, cannot sufficiently push the banknote holding lever upward during the dispensing process, is discharged onto the dispensing tray in a crumpled state, and ultimately is brought to an abnormal dispensing state, for example, stops in a crumpled state in the space between the banknote holding lever and the upper surface of the dispensing tray. If the next banknote is unloaded in this state, the crumpled banknote unloaded before becomes an obstacle and the next banknote cannot stop in the normal stacking position.

Therefore, when the change banknotes are unloaded and stacked on the dispensing tray one by one, it is difficult to stack the banknotes evenly on the dispensing tray.

List of references

Patent literature

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Published No. 2016-218965.

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 6450041.

ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

Technical problem

[0007] The present invention is made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a paper sheet discharging and stacking device and a circulation-type paper sheet processing device that prevent the occurrence of a stacking failure of paper sheets discharged from a circulation unit onto a dispensing tray in the circulation-type paper sheet processing device.

Solution to the problem

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a paper sheet discharging and stacking apparatus that discharges paper sheets discharged from a circulation unit storing transported paper sheets and discharging the stored paper sheets outwardly one by one onto a discharge tray with a short side of the paper sheet at the top, and that stacks the discharged paper sheets, comprising: a discharge transport route along which paper sheets are conveyed to the discharge tray; a last discharge mechanism located downstream of the discharge transport route; a discharge tray on which paper sheets discharged from the last discharge mechanism are stacked; and a paper sheet holding arm which has a rear portion supported around an axis which is rotatable in a top-down direction and which has a front portion projecting onto the discharge tray to hold the paper sheets discharged from the last discharge mechanism, wherein the last discharge mechanism includes a rotating shaft which is arranged orthogonally to the transport direction of the paper sheets and which is rotationally driven in the discharge direction, and last pairs of rollers formed from at least two drive rollers, each of which has an axis attached to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers, each of which forms a clamping portion for transporting a paper sheet by a corresponding one of the drive rollers, the outer side of each of the drive rollers in the axial direction includes a stacking wheel which has an axis attached to the rotating shaft, the blades forming each of the stacking wheels include a moving path which is to be brought into contact with the paper sheet discharged from the last discharge mechanism, and should push the paper sheet during rotation downwards to the upper surface of the discharge tray, and a guide protruding part that impedes the blades and allows rotational movement of the blades, while elastically deforming the blades, is provided on the discharge tray, and the guide protruding part includes a first contact part that is brought into contact with the rear part of the paper sheet discharged by the last discharge mechanism onto the discharge tray in a position above the upper surface of the discharge tray, and a guide surface that extends downwards from the first contact part to the rear part in the discharge direction. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a stacking failure of paper sheets discharged from a circulation unit onto a dispensing tray in a circulation type paper sheet processing apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a paper sheet processing apparatus including a paper sheet discharging and stacking apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of relevant parts of the second block M2 according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a front view of the molding mechanism as viewed from the discharge side.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the molding mechanism as viewed from the discharge side.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5(a) and 5(b) are a front view illustrating a state in which a banknote is formed by a forming mechanism into a shape having a predetermined rigidity, and an explanatory diagram illustrating the shape of the short side of the dispensed banknote after the forming, and Fig. 5(c) is an explanatory diagram in a case where the short side of the banknote is formed into an M shape.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6(a) is a front perspective view illustrating a positional relationship between a banknote immediately after being discharged from the forming mechanism and an already folded banknote stack and guide members, and Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view illustrating the shape of the formed banknote.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the guide member.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the configuration of the dispensing tray.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the basic principle of the change issuing operation procedure performed by the banknote processing apparatus of the present invention.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a lateral vertical sectional view of a conventional stacking unloading transport unit 500P.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11(a) to Fig. 11(d) are explanatory diagrams (lateral vertical sectional views) of the operation of the stacking discharge transport unit, sequentially illustrating states until the front end of the banknote passes through the forming mechanism.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12(e) and 12(f) are explanatory diagrams (lateral vertical sectional views) of the operation of the stacking discharge conveyor unit, illustrating the state immediately before the rear end of the banknote passes the forming mechanism and the state immediately after passing, and Fig. 12(g) and 12(h) are explanatory diagrams of the order of operation performed by the blades for drawing the banknote backward.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13(i) to 13(l) are explanatory diagrams of the order of operation performed by the paddles for drawing the banknote back.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14(m)-14(o) are explanatory diagrams of the order of operation performed by the paddles for drawing the banknote back.

[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a partial front sectional view illustrating a state in which a banknote having a significantly reduced rigidity passes a forming mechanism in which excessively large gaps G2 are set.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a front view of the respective parts of the M2 banknote discharging and stacking device (stack discharging transport unit 800) according to the third embodiment.

[Fig. 17] Fig. 17(a) to Fig. 17(d) are lateral vertical sectional views for explaining the configuration of the M2 banknote stacking and discharging device and its discharging and feeding operation.

[Fig. 18] Fig. 18(e) to Fig. 18(h) are lateral vertical sectional views for explaining the configuration of the banknote stacking and discharging device M2, and the discharging and pulling work performed by the banknote stacking and discharging device M2.

[Fig. 19] Fig. 19(i) to 19(l) are lateral vertical sectional views for explaining the configuration of the banknote stacking and discharging device M2, and the discharging and pulling work performed by the banknote stacking and discharging device M2.

[Fig. 20] Fig. 20(m) to 20(o) are lateral vertical sectional views for explaining the configuration of the banknote stacking and discharging device M2, and the discharging and pulling work performed by the banknote stacking and discharging device M2.

DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail below using embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[Banknote processing device]

General Configuration

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a banknote (paper sheet) processing apparatus including a banknote (paper sheet) discharging and stacking apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

While the device for processing banknotes, as one example of paper sheets, is explained in the present embodiment, the paper sheet unloading and stacking device and the paper sheet processing device of the present invention can also be applied to a processing device for paper sheets in general, such as cash receipts, tickets, and securities other than banknotes. Although a quadrilateral, such as a rectangle and a square, that is, a quadrilateral with four right angles, represents the basic shape of the paper sheets in the present embodiment, the paper sheets are not limited to sheets of a quadrilateral shape with four right angles.

[0012] The circulation type banknote processing device 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "banknote processing device") illustrated in Fig. 1 is a means that is installed or provided together with a banknote handling device such as a vending machine, a ticket machine, a game media vending machine in a gaming hall, a deposit/withdrawal device, or a change machine, and that performs processing of received banknotes and issuance of banknotes as change or the like.

The banknote processing device 1 is explained in detail below.

The banknote processing device 1 is generally formed by a housing 3 that forms an outer housing, a deposit/dispensing processing unit M that transports banknotes inserted into the housing in the device or discharges banknotes to the outside of the device along a required route along a long edge direction, a banknote storage unit N that stores banknotes transported from the deposit/dispensing processing unit M or that discharges stored banknotes to the deposit/dispensing processing unit M, a transport mechanism that transports banknotes along various routes, and a control unit 1000 (CPU, microprocessor, ROM, RAM, etc.) that controls various control objects.

[0013] The deposit/dispense processing unit M includes an input/output port (input port) 5 that receives one banknote or a batch of banknotes including banknotes of different denominations together and that functions as a return port during the return of rejected incoming banknotes, a dispensing port 7 (output port) for banknotes that are dispensed as change from the banknote storage unit N, a joint deposit unit 11 (insertion unit) that individually separates banknotes (a batch) deposited and set in the input/output port 5 and introduces the separated banknote into the device body through a deposited banknote conveyance route 9a (introduction portion), a recognition unit 15 that is located on the conveyance route along the deposited banknote conveyance route 9a and that detects the denomination, authenticity, etc. of the deposited banknote together with an optical or magnetic sensor, etc.

[0014] The deposit/dispensing processing unit M is formed from a first unit M1 and a second unit (a device for unloading and stacking banknotes, a joint issuing unit) M2.

The first unit M1 includes an input/output port (input port) 5, a deposit banknote conveyance route 9a, a combined deposit unit 11, a recognition unit 15, a deposit unit (temporarily holding unit, not illustrated) that deposits the deposited banknotes passing through the recognition unit until the number of banknotes reaches a predetermined number, and that supplies the banknotes to the storage units 30 and 40 and the collection container 50 (which will be described later) when confirming the acceptance of banknotes, and that supplies the banknotes to a stacking dispensing unit (not illustrated) at the time of canceling the return by a return request or the like, a stacking dispensing unit (return banknote stacker, not illustrated) that stacks the banknotes to be returned or rejected banknotes (hereinafter referred to as "return banknotes") that have been conveyed from the deposit unit, and that delivers the stacked banknotes at inlet/outlet 5, etc. Further detailed explanations of the first block M1 are omitted since they are less relevant to the present invention.

The second unit M2 forms a paper sheet discharging and stacking device of the present invention, and includes a dispensing tray 700 (discharging tray) provided on the dispensing port 7 (discharging port), a stacking discharging transport unit 500 that transports and discharges the dispensed banknotes (discharged paper sheets) that have been dispensed one by one from each of the storage units 30 and 40 into the dispensing tray 700, and stacks the banknotes thereon, etc.

[0015] Between the first block M1 and the banknote storage block N, a cavity E is provided for fixing the block, and the banknote discharging device, which does not have a function of jointly issuing change, and the second block M2, which has a function of jointly issuing change, can be attached in a replaceable manner in the cavity E.

That is, a conventional banknote discharging device having a configuration different from the second unit M2 can be attached to the mounting cavity E. This conventional banknote discharging device is designed in such a way that the next second and subsequent banknotes are not discharged until the user removes a banknote dispensed one by one from the banknote storage unit N and discharged onto the dispensing tray.

In contrast to this, in the second unit M2 of the present invention, that is, in the device for discharging and stacking banknotes, a joint extraction of banknotes by the user is ensured after the banknotes are successfully discharged onto the dispensing tray one by one from the banknote storage unit N, and the stacking of the required number of banknotes is completed.

[0016] The banknote storage unit N includes first and second circulation-type banknote storage units 30 and 40 (circulation-type banknote storage devices, circulation units), which store banknotes fed one by one from the deposit unit upon confirmation of acceptance of the deposited banknotes, and transport along the banknote transport route 9b for storage in accordance with denominations, so as to enable depositing and dispensing of banknotes, and a collection container 50 (banknote storage collecting unit), which is attached in a storage space provided under the second circulation-type banknote storage unit 40 so that it can be removed from the front side, and collects all denominations from the circulation-type banknote storage units at the time of closing or the like, or collects large-denomination banknotes that are not used as change and excess banknotes that cannot be stored in the circulation-type banknote storage units.

The transport mechanism includes a motor, a solenoid and a pulley for creating or transmitting a driving force for transporting banknotes along transport routes 9a and 9b and other transport routes, a belt, a shutter, etc.

The control unit 1000 controls control objects such as the deposit/dispense processing unit M, the banknote storage unit N, and the transport mechanism.

[0017] Each of the first and second circulation type banknote storage units 30 and 40 in the present example includes two (31 and 35, 41 and 45) circulation drums, each of which has a maximum number of banknotes that can be stored of 30. Each of the circulation drums 31, 35, 41 and 45 is a type suitable for circulation that stores banknotes between two long tapes (long films) helically (spirally) wound on the outer circumferential surface in a superimposed manner.

[0018] <Various Operations of the Banknote Processing Device>

Next, the basic principle of the deposit operation, the confirmation operation, the issuance operation, and the collection operation of the banknote processing device 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 is explained.

[0019] First, in the deposit operation, when one or a plurality of banknotes are input from the inlet/outlet 5, the control unit 1000, which receives a signal from the sensor that has detected the banknotes, activates the conveyance mechanism to receive the banknotes through the combined deposit unit 11 and the deposited banknote conveyance route 9a. The combined deposit unit 11 extracts banknotes one by one from the topmost banknote in the banknote batch installed in the inlet/outlet 5 and conveys the banknote to the recognition unit 15. The banknotes judged as acceptable by the recognition unit 15 are conveyed to the deposit unit (not illustrated) and wound one by one on the outer circumference of the deposit drum for deposit, and wait for confirmation of deposit. The processing of returning the banknotes deposited in the deposit unit is not directly related to the present invention, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0020] In the step where the deposit of the deposited banknotes deposited in the deposit unit is confirmed, the banknotes are fed one by one from the deposit unit, and the banknotes to be used as change are stored in any of the circulation type banknote storage units 30 and 40 in accordance with the denominations, via the banknote conveying route 9b for storage, while the banknotes that are not used as change are stored in the collection container 50.

When a banknote is issued as change, the banknote stored in circulation banknote storage units 30 and 40, which store banknotes according to denomination, is retrieved, and its denomination, authenticity, etc., are recognized by recognition unit 70, provided along banknote transport route 9b for storage. If the banknote is returnable, it is issued as change at dispensing port 7.

On the other hand, if the banknote is assessed as a non-returnable banknote by the recognition in the recognition unit 70, the banknote is deposited in the deposit unit and subsequently transferred to the collection container 50 for storage therein.

During collection, the banknotes stored in the circulation type banknote storage units 30 and 40 during closing, etc., are stacked once in the deposit unit and then stored in the collection container 50.

[0021] <Circulation type banknote (paper sheet) storage unit>

Each of the circulation type banknote storage units 30 and 40 (circulation type banknote storage device=banknote storage unit) generally includes two circulation units (circulation drum units) 100 and 200, and a distribution unit 310 (flap) that switches the banknote transport route (insertion route, output route) towards any of the circulation units in the casing 60.

The circulation units 100 and 200 are means which are activated by the driving force from a motor (not illustrated) to receive banknotes conveyed into the casing 60 and to feed the stored banknotes out of the casing.

[0022] Each of the circulation type banknote storage units 30 and 40 includes a motor (not illustrated), a first circulation unit (first circulation drum unit) 100 and a second circulation unit (second circulation drum unit) 200, each of which is driven by the driving force from the motor to receive and store the transported banknotes and supply the stored banknotes, a distributing means 310 (flap) that distributes the transported banknotes to any of the circulation units by changing the spatial position (position), and a mechanism that drives the distributing means (flap driving mechanism) that drives the distributing means 310 (flap).

[0023] The configurations of the circulation type banknote storage units 30 and 40 (circulation type banknote storage devices) are explained below.

Circulation units 30 and 40 include circulation drums 31, 35 and 41, 45, which stack banknotes on the outer circumferential surface, superimposed on each other, and store the stacked banknotes by rotating forward, and discharge the banknotes one by one on the outer circumferential surface by rotating backward, respectively. For example, 1,000-yen banknotes are stored in circulation unit 30, and 5,000-yen banknotes are stored in circulation unit 40.

The first distribution unit 61, which distributes the deposited banknotes, which have been transported into the banknote storage unit N, into the banknote storage unit 30 or 40 of the circulation type (the collection container 50), is located on the banknote transportation route 9b for storage. The distribution part 61a for distributing the deposited banknotes, transported from the route 9a of transporting the deposited banknote into the banknote storage unit 30 of the circulation type (the transportation route 9c built into the casing) or into the banknote storage unit 40 of the circulation type (the collection container 50), is located on the first distribution unit 61. The second distribution unit 65 and the distribution part 65a, which distribute the banknotes into the banknote storage unit 40 of the circulation type or into the collection container 50, are located downstream from the first distribution unit 61.

Since the circulation type banknote storage units 30 and 40 have essentially the same configuration, the circulation type banknote storage unit 30 will be mainly described below.

[0024] The circulation unit 100 on the front side includes a shutter 310 that distributes banknotes conveyed sequentially through the distribution part 61a and the conveying route 9c built into the casing into any of the circulation drums 31 and 35, a front circulation drum (first circulation drum) 31 to which one ends of the tapes (films) T1 and T2 on the front side are attached and which winds both tapes T1 and T2 in a superimposed manner on a circumferential surface while rotating in a clockwise direction, a first reel 105 rotating back and forth that holds the first tape T1 wound in a helical manner (multilayered) for feeding onto the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum 31, a plurality of guide rollers 106a that guide the first tape T1 unwound from the first reel onto the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum, a second reel 110 rotating forward and backward, which holds the second tape T2 wound in a helical manner for feeding onto the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum 31, and guide rollers 111a, which guide the second tape T2 unwound from the second reel onto the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum. The tape T1, T2 is wound onto the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum through a route along the guide rollers 106a and the guide rollers 111a, or is unwound from the first circulation drum onto the reel 105, 110, respectively. The forward rotation and reverse rotation of each of the reels 105 and 110 is performed by a motor (not illustrated).

[0025] The banknotes conveyed from the first distribution unit 61 toward the first circulation drum 31 are introduced into the contact area of movement TA, where both tapes T1 and T2 are moved in a superimposed manner, and are stacked on the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum, which rotates in the winding direction (clockwise direction), being clamped between both tapes in the clamping portion n by means of the guide roller 106a and the guide roller 111a located in the last position.

When the banknotes stacked between the tapes on the outer circumference of the first circulation drum 31 are to be discharged one by one outward from the circulation unit 100, the reels 105 and 110 rotate in the winding direction while the first circulation drum 31 rotates in the unwinding direction (counterclockwise direction), so that the tapes T1 and T2 are fed back along the same routes as during unwinding from the reels 105 and 110 and are wound into the reels, respectively. The banknotes clamped between the tapes are discharged from the clamping portion n sequentially into the first distribution portion 61, the transport route 9c built into the casing, and into the banknote transport route 9b for storage.

[0026] The last guide roller 106a for the first tape T1 and the last guide roller 111a for the second tape T2 form a clamping portion n, and the tapes T1 and T2 after this clamping portion are wound onto the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum 31 in a superimposed manner.

[0027] Since the circulation unit 200 on the rear side has the same configuration as the circulation unit 100 on the front side, similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit detailed explanations thereof.

The directions of curling tendencies formed on the banknotes stacked on the outer circumferential surfaces of the circulation drums 31 and 35, which form the circulation unit 100, and the circulation drums 41 and 45, which form the circulation unit 200, are opposite to each other. That is, the circulation drums 31 and 35 curl the banknotes when rotating in a clockwise direction, and rotate in a counterclockwise direction during dispensing. Accordingly, the banknote discharged through the banknote conveying path 9b for storage in the dispensing tray 700 has a curling tendency with the central portion in the long edge direction protruding upward (both end portions in the long edge direction are inclined downward), that is, it has an upward curling tendency. Meanwhile, the banknotes stacked on the outer circumferences of the circulation drums 41 and 45 tend to curl with the central portion in the direction of the long edge protruding downward.

[0028] [Banknote Discharge and Stacking Device: First Embodiment]

<<Basic configuration>>

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the respective parts of the second unit M2 according to the first embodiment, Fig. 3 is a front view of the forming mechanism as seen from the discharge side, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the forming mechanism as seen from the discharge side, Fig. 5(a) and 5(b) are a front view illustrating a state in which a banknote is formed by the forming mechanism into a shape having a predetermined rigidity and an explanatory diagram illustrating the shape of the short side of the discharged banknote after the forming, and Fig. 5(c) is an explanatory diagram in the case where the short side of the banknote is formed in the shape of the letter M. Fig. 6(a) is a front perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the banknote immediately after being discharged from the forming mechanism and the already folded banknote and the guide members, and Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view illustrating the shape of the formed banknote. Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the guide member, and Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the configuration of the dispensing tray.

[0029] The second unit (banknote discharging and stacking device, joint dispensing unit) M2 includes a dispensing port 7, a stacking dispensing transport unit 500 that transports the dispensed banknotes (dispensed paper sheets) B output from the storage units 30 and 40 to the dispensing port 7, a dispensing tray 700 (dispensing tray) that is provided on the dispensing port 7 and that stacks (layers) the banknotes discharged from the stacking dispensing transport unit, etc.

The second block M2 is a means for unloading banknotes issued by one of the circulation blocks 30 and 40, which receive and store the transported banknotes, and which issue the stored banknotes to the outside, onto a tray 700 for issuing and for stacking the banknotes.

The second unit M2 sequentially discharges multiple banknotes for change one at a time, short-side up, and stacks them on the dispensing tray 700. The user can then retrieve a batch of stacked banknotes together as the stacking process is completed. Banknotes are removed from the dispensing tray after all the banknotes have been discharged.

[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 1, 11, etc., the unloading transport stacking unit 500, which forms the second unit M2, includes an unloading transport route 510 along which the banknote is unloaded and transported toward the dispensing tray, an unloading transport mechanism 520, which provides the banknote on the unloading transport route 510 with a transport force, a forming mechanism (rigidity providing unit) 550, which forms (deforms) the shape of the short side (the shape in the direction of the short edge) of the dispensed banknote B (hereinafter, "banknote B"), to be unloaded onto the dispensing tray 700, into a predetermined shape along the entire length in the direction of the long edge, thereby providing the banknote B with rigidity (rigidity and shape-holding force) along its entire length, and a tracking sensor 580, which detects the introduction of the front end portion of the banknote B into the forming mechanism, and the unloading of its rear end portion. The banknote B introduced into the unloading transport route 510 is transported to the forming mechanism 550 by transport elements such as a transport roller 517, etc., which form an unloading transport mechanism 520.

Since the discharge transport path 510 includes upper and lower transport guides 510a that sandwich the banknote B in the upper and lower directions, and a pair of transport rollers 517 that transport the banknote B by clamping the banknote B, etc., even a banknote with a tendency to curl or a soft banknote can be transported while being aligned (compressed and deformed) in a straight and flat spatial position. Accordingly, the banknote transported along the discharge transport path is in a state of having a predetermined level of rigidity or higher. However, the adjustment of the spatial position in the discharge transport path is temporary, and the curling tendency is not completely corrected. That is, when a banknote with a tendency to curl is discharged as it was on the dispensing tray without passing through the forming mechanism, the curling tendency returns to the dispensing tray.

[0031] The discharge conveying mechanism 520 includes rollers 512a, 512b and 512c for conveying a banknote (a dispensed banknote) B discharged from the storage unit 30 or 40 and moved upward along the banknote conveying route 9b for storage, to the forming mechanism 550, a shutter 514 that switches the spatial position of the banknote (a deposited banknote) conveyed from the first unit M1 between a spatial position for guiding to the banknote storage unit N and a spatial position for guiding the conveying direction of the banknotes to the second unit M2 (the forming mechanism 550), a shutter driving unit (such as a solenoid, not illustrated), a discharge conveying route 510 to the forming mechanism, a pair of conveying rollers 517 located on the discharge conveying route, a motor or a solenoid as a driving source for each moving control object, etc.

The rollers 512a and 512b rotate forward if the banknote being inserted from the first block M1 is to be transported to the corresponding storage block 30 or 40, and rotate backward if the banknote B is to be sent to the forming mechanism 550. The shutter 514 in the illustrated state is in a spatial position for transporting the banknote B moved upward along the banknote transport route 9b for storage to the forming mechanism 550. By rotating in a clockwise direction by the required angle, the shutter 514 moves to a spatial position in which the banknote transport routes 9b and 9a for storage communicate with each other.

[0032] <Forming Mechanism>

The forming mechanism 550 is a means for forming the shape of the short side of various banknotes, whether curled, crumpled, wrinkled, or the like, or a partially or completely soft banknote (a banknote with deteriorated properties) along its entire length in the direction of the long edge, into a predetermined shape to increase rigidity in the direction of the long edge, or into a correct shape so that it is suitable for stacking. The correcting effect (forming effect, shape-holding effect after forming) provided by the forming mechanism is not temporary, and the corrected shape is also continuously maintained after the banknote has been unloaded onto the dispensing tray.

In the embodiment described below, an example is explained in which a banknote that has a tendency to curl upward along the long edge due to a circulation drum is formed by a forming mechanism to ensure rigidity (to correct the curling tendency). However, the forming mechanism can generally be used for banknotes with deteriorated properties that may result in discharge failure, stacking failure, or the like when these banknotes are discharged onto a dispensing tray without undergoing a forming process, such as banknotes with various tendencies other than curling or deformation, soft banknotes, and the like.

A specific example of the configuration of the forming mechanism 550 is explained with reference to Fig. 2-5.

The short side shape of the banknote indicates the shape (face shape) of the end edge of the short side of the banknote when viewed from the front, as illustrated in Fig. 5(a) and 5(b).

[0033] The forming mechanism 550 generally includes a rotating shaft 552 that is rotatably supported in a horizontal position at both end portions by bearing portions 553, a disc-shaped (roller-shaped) central flange 605 that has an axis attached to a corresponding location of the rotating shaft, in this example, a portion of the rotating shaft corresponding to the central portion in the width direction of the unloading conveying route 510, two driving rollers 555 and 600 that respectively have axis attached to the rotating shaft at positions separated by predetermined distances L1 on both sides in the axial direction of the central flange 605, and disc-shaped outer flanges 607 and 609 that respectively have axis attached to the rotating shaft at positions separated by predetermined distances L2 on the outer sides in the axial direction of the driving rollers 555 and 600.

In other words, the wide central flange 605 is arranged coaxially in an intermediate position between the drive rollers 555 and 600, and each of the narrow outer flanges 607 and 609 is arranged on the outer side in the axial direction of the corresponding drive roller with a predetermined distance L2 from each other. The width W1 (6 mm) of the contact surface (outer circumferential surface) of the central flange 605 with the banknote is set larger than the width W2 (2 mm) of the contact surface of each of the outer flanges 607 and 609 with the banknote. The reason why the width W1 of the central flange is set larger is as follows. If the width of the central flange is too small, then the gaps G2 between the central flange and the opening portion 673 of the lever 670 become too large and a part of the banknote falls into the gaps, so that the discharged banknote becomes slack, and the rigidity required to push the lever upward decreases, as will be described later. The ratio between the width W1 of the central flange and the width W2 of the outer flanges is, for example, about 4:1.

[0034] The outer diameters of the central flange 605 and the outer flanges 607 and 609 are designed to be larger than the outer diameters of the drive rollers 555 and 600. Each of the flanges is a disc-shaped element that is formed from resin, a metallic material, or the like, having sufficient hardness so as not to deform upon contact with a banknote.

Each of the tension rollers 556 and 601, as driven rollers, is located in a position directly above the corresponding drive roller 555 or 600 in a one-to-one ratio with the drive roller, and forms a clamping portion n1 with the outer circumferential surface of the corresponding drive roller. The outer circumferential surfaces of the drive rollers 555 and 600, and the tension rollers 556 and 601 are formed from a material having sufficient frictional resistance to prevent slippage between the outer circumferential surface and the banknote.

The height positions T1 and T2 of the uppermost portions of the outer circumferential surfaces of the flanges 605, 607 and 609 are located above the clamping portion n1 with each of the drive rollers and the corresponding tension roller. Accordingly, during the passage of the banknote B through the rotating shaft 552, the banknote B is compressed and pressed by the clamping portions n1 and the flanges, and deformed so that the projecting portions P1 and P2, the upward beveled sides S2 and the projecting portions P3 can be formed (see Fig. 5(a) and 5(b)).

[0035] The limiting element 611 may be located with a gap G1 from the uppermost portion T2 of each of the outer flanges 607 and 609 in order to limit the direction of continuation of both end portions of the short side of the banknote. A fastening element, a roller, or the like having low frictional resistance to the banknote may be used as the limiting element 611.

When a narrow banknote is discharged from the forming mechanism, both ends of the short side of the banknote sometimes rise excessively, without hanging down. This raised end of the banknote, stacked on the discharge chute in this state, causes a shock when the next banknote is dispensed, causing the previous banknote to fall out of the discharge chute. To address this issue, it's effective to constrain the direction of both ends of the short side by restricting elements 611.

If, during discharge from the forming mechanism, both ends of the short side of a wide banknote are raised excessively due to the W-shape of the banknote, the ends may sometimes become higher than the height of the space on the dispensing tray and touch the ceiling (frame 660) of the space. This creates a risk of banknote jamming. This risk can be reduced by pre-limiting excessive lifting using limiting element 611 during the forming process.

In a banknote with particularly high rigidity, both ends of the short side of the banknote can remain raised without hanging down. There is a risk that the raised ends could block the discharge path after the banknote is folded onto the dispenser tray. Therefore, it is effective to pre-limit the extension direction of both ends of the short side with restrictive elements.

[0036] In the example illustrated in Fig. 5(a) and 5(b), in order to give a substantially bilaterally symmetrical shape to the short side of the banknote B, the forming mechanism 550 forms an upward protruding portion (a curved portion protruding upward) P1, a downward protruding portion (a curved portion protruding downward) P2, and an upward protruding portion P3 alternately along the direction of the short side of the banknote, and tilts both end sides S2 and S2 of the short side of the banknote upward (so that they protrude obliquely upward).

The upwardly projecting portion P1 includes the upper portion P1' and the beveled sides S1 and S1, respectively, continuing from the upper portion P1' to the right and left (outward) and inclined downward. Each of the downwardly projecting portions P2 includes the upper portion (lower portion) P2' and the beveled sides (end sides) S2 and S2, respectively, continuing from the upper portion P2' to the right and left and inclined upward. The upwardly projecting portions P3 and P3 are formed on the terminal end portions of the beveled sides S2 and S2, respectively.

The upper part P1' of the central protruding part P1 is formed in a position corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the central flange 605, the upper parts P2' of the right and left protruding parts P2 are formed in positions corresponding to the clamping parts n1 by the drive rollers 555 and 600, and the corresponding tension rollers 556 and 601 (the last pairs of rollers) and the upper parts P3' of the outer protruding parts P3 are formed in positions corresponding to the outer circumferential surfaces of the outer flanges 607 and 609.

[0037] That is, the central projecting portion P1 is formed by pressing the central portion of the banknote upward by the central flange 605 in the state where the right and left positions are held by the right and left clamping portions n1. The downward projecting portions P2 are formed by pressing the banknote by the clamping portion n1 with the drive roller 555 and the tension roller 556, and the clamping portion n1 with the drive roller 600 and the tension roller 601. The outer beveled sides S2 and the projecting portions P3 are formed by the outer flanges 607 and 609 and the limiting member 611 in the state held by the clamping portions n1.

That is, during the passage of the banknote B, one upwardly projecting portion P1 is formed in the central portion (the central portion in the width direction) of the short side of the banknote B, one downwardly projecting portion P2 is formed on each of the right and left sides of the projecting portion P1, and the upwardly projecting portions P3 and P3 are additionally formed on the right and left sides of the downwardly projecting portions P2 and P2, respectively. Accordingly, both end sides of the banknote can be adjusted (provided with a tendency) to an upwardly raised state (upwardly inclined) to form the beveled sides S2 and S2. The shape of the short side of the banknote after forming is essentially a bilaterally symmetrical shape. The projecting portions (P1, P2, and P3) and the beveled sides S1 and S2, being formed in places, are continuously formed along the entire length in the direction of the long edge of the banknote. Accordingly, the curling tendency (curved shape) formed along the long edge direction of the banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray is corrected, the shape of the banknote in the long edge direction becomes a shape substantially close to a flat shape or a substantially straight shape, and the shape is maintained (held). That is, the short side of the banknote B is folded (curved) in many places to alternately form an upward protruding portion P1, a downward protruding portion P2, and an upward protruding portion P3, as a result of which the curling tendency of the banknote having a curved shape visible from the long edge direction can be eliminated, and the shape visible in the long edge direction can be brought to a substantially straight shape (non-curled shape). In other words, by alternately arranging the upward protruding portions and downward protruding portions along the short side, the rigidity (stiffness) along the entire length in the direction of the long edge of the banknote can be increased and the force (shape-holding force) for maintaining a substantially flat or substantially straight shape can be provided.

[0038] Accordingly, the spatial position of the banknote in the long edge direction discharged from the forming mechanism 550 can be inverted, and the impact with the rear portion of the already folded banknote can be prevented by the inverted spatial position. Specifically, when the rear end portion of the already folded banknote rises upward due to the tendency, the rear end portion is likely to impact the front end portion of the next banknote. However, the impact prevention effect for such an already folded banknote is enhanced by the next banknote, the rigidity of which is increased so that it has a flat and inverted spatial position.

The banknote sections corresponding to the downwardly projecting portions P2 are unloaded from the forming mechanism in a gripped state by the clamping parts n1 of the last pairs of rollers and, accordingly, do not hang down during unloading. Furthermore, since the projecting portions P1 and P2 are formed into a mountain shape (valley shape) and retain their shape even after unloading from the forming mechanism, and high tension is applied to the beveled sides S1, each of which connects the projecting portions P1 and P2, the projecting portions do not hang down.

[0039] Each of the beveled sides S1 is formed while the banknote is in a stretched state, when sufficient tension is applied between the outer circumferential surface of the central flange 605 and the clamping portion n1 of the corresponding last pair of rollers. Each of the beveled sides S2 is formed while the banknote is in a stretched state, when sufficient tension is applied between the corresponding clamping portion n1 and the outer circumferential surface of the outer flange 607 or 609. Accordingly, the beveled sides S1 and S2 do not sag or hang down during discharge from the forming mechanism and after discharge. Even in the case where the short side of the banknote is long, since the protruding portions P2 are in a gripped state during discharge and are initially tilted forward, the beveled sides S2 do not hang down to such an extent as to interfere with the banknotes already folded in a stack. That is, since the protruding portions P1 and P2 are held in a mountain-shaped (valley-shaped) state, and high tension is applied to the beveled sides of S1, each of which is connected between the protruding portions and the beveled sides of S2 on the outer side, even after unloading from the molding mechanism is complete, the beveled sides of S2 do not hang down significantly. Even if the beveled sides hang down after unloading is complete, the amount of drooping is not too great.

Accordingly, the overall height h1 after molding can be reduced, and the dimensions of the components forming the molding mechanism in the top-down direction can be reduced.

[0040] The upper portion P1', P2' or P3' of each of the projecting portions P1, P2 and P3 is not formed into a shape tapering at an acute angle or an obtuse angle, and has a shape into which the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the central flange 605, the drive roller 555, 600 or the outer flange 607, 609 is transmitted, that is, it is substantially flat. As a result, when the curved shape of the banknote in the long edge direction can be corrected to a shape close to a flat or straight shape by forming the projecting portions continuously along the entire length in the long edge direction of the banknote, then the objective of increasing the rigidity (providing the shape holding force) by forming can be achieved regardless of the shapes of the upper portions of the projecting portions P1, P2 and P3.

Provided that the end faces S2, located on the outer edges, are designed to tilt upward, the number of protruding portions P1, P2, and P3 may be arbitrary. That is, the formed banknote may have a shape other than the letter W.

[0041] Although the height position of the projecting portion P1 in the center of the banknote B after forming and the height positions of the outer projecting portions P3 and P3 are substantially the same in the present embodiment, the height positions of the projecting portions P3 and P3 may be higher or lower than those of the projecting portions P1.

In the case where the height positions of the upper parts P3' of the projecting parts P3 are higher than the height position of the upper part P1' of the projecting part P1, the outer diameters of the outer flanges 607 and 609 are designed to be larger than those of the central flange 605. In this case, the uppermost parts T2 of the outer circumferential surfaces of the outer flanges are located in a higher position than the highest part T1 of the central flange. In this way, the possibility that the beveled sides S2 and the upper parts P3' of the discharged banknote will catch on the rear part of the already folded banknote can be further reduced.

Although the height positions of the downward projecting portions P2 and P2 are essentially the same, these height positions may differ from each other.

Although the shape of the short side after molding is a bilaterally symmetrical shape in the illustrated embodiment, this is merely an example, and the shape does not necessarily have to be bilaterally symmetrical, as long as it can provide sufficient rigidity.

When the beveled sides S1 and S2 located between the projecting portions of the formed banknote have a normal level of rigidity (in particular, rigidity in the direction of the short side) of the banknote, the beveled sides S1 and S2 are in a continuing substantially linear state, with sufficient tension, as illustrated in Fig. 5(b).

Another advantage of forming a banknote into a W-shape—that is, a shape in which the beveled sides S2 and S2 at both ends slope upward—is that sufficient rigidity can be ensured while maintaining the overall height hi after forming at the required minimum. Since the overall height n1 can be reduced to approximately 2.5 mm in experiments, the diameter of each of the rollers and flanges that make up the forming mechanism can be reduced, and the volume of banknotes formed will not increase significantly.

[0042] However, when the rigidity of the banknote is significantly reduced, as will be described later, the beveled sides S1 and S2 between the projecting portions have less tension and are likely to be in a slack state. Therefore, the ability to retain the shape during discharge from the forming mechanism or after discharge is reduced. Measures for eliminating this problem will be described in the third embodiment.

If the short side of the banknote B is formed in the shape of the letter M, as illustrated in Fig. 5(c), both end sides S3 of the short side are inclined downward and are likely to hang down. Accordingly, when the banknote B is discharged onto the dispensing tray, both end sides S3 are caught on the banknote previously folded on the dispensing tray (in particular, the banknote with the rear end portion tending to protrude upward), which leads to the falling out of this banknote. If the banknote is formed in the shape of the letter M, the outer end sides S3 are likely to hang down significantly, beyond the height position of the downward protruding portion P4, and this leads to an increase in the catch on the already folded banknote. In particular, in the case where the short side of the banknote is long, the outer end sides S3 are longer than illustrated, and the overhanging condition worsens.

Thus, a molded shape in which both end portions of the short side are inclined downwards or hang down cannot be accepted.

[0043] Banknotes issued by countries around the world are generally divided into narrow banknotes, which have a maximum dimension (maximum width dimension) of the short side that is less than 72 millimetres (mm), such as in the United States, Canada and Australia, and wide banknotes, which have a maximum width dimension equal to or greater than 72 mm and less than 86 mm, such as in Japan, the Eurozone and Macau.

When a banknote processing device manufacturer produces banknote processing devices for countries that circulate narrow banknotes and for other countries that circulate wide banknotes, it is unprofitable to manufacture devices with different characteristics depending on the country. This means that it is clearly unprofitable, in terms of increased manufacturing costs, inventory management costs, and so on, to manufacture two types of banknote processing devices that have no design differences other than the width of the transport path, and then manufacture and ship only one type to order.

To eliminate the shortcomings and inconveniences described above, measures are being taken to prepare only one type of device, which includes a wide transport path that allows transporting a wide banknote, and to use the device in general for narrow banknotes.

In particular, in the case where the second unit M2 is built into the banknote processing device 1, the forming mechanism 550 must be configured to form a shape that can provide sufficient rigidity to the banknotes in general, regardless of the size of the short side of the banknote.

[0044] However, in a circulation unit including a circulation drum, since banknotes are stored in a wound state on the outer circumferential surface of the circulation drum, a tendency (curling tendency) to curl in the long edge direction is generated on the banknotes. In particular, when a tendency to curl upward in a protruding manner is generated in the central portion in the long edge direction of each of the banknotes conveyed from the circulation unit and discharged onto the dispensing tray 700, a problem arises that the front end portion (inclined downward) of the just discharged banknote will hit the rear portion of the already folded banknote and push out the already folded banknote, causing it to fall out of the dispensing tray. Even if there is no banknote already folded, the banknote that has just been discharged, having a tendency to curl upward, slips on the dispensing tray and falls beyond its distal end edge, or bends between the banknote holding lever and the upper surface of the dispensing tray due to the downward bending of the front end.

[0045] In the present invention, the conventional problem is solved by forming the shape of a banknote in the short edge direction along the entire length into a predetermined shape (a shape having rigidity) by means of a forming mechanism 550.

In the forming mechanism 550 of the present embodiment, the distance L1 from each of the drive rollers 555 and 600 to the central flange 605, and the distance L2 from the flange 607 or 609 to the drive roller 555 or 600 are set to L1=8 mm - 9 mm and L2=10 mm - 11 mm, in order to ensure the handling of narrow banknotes having a maximum width dimension of 72 mm or less. That is, in the case where the shape of the short side is formed in the shape of the letter W, as in the present embodiment, the positional relationship between each of the drive rollers and the corresponding flange is set such that both end sides S2 in the direction of the short edge of the narrow banknote are inclined upward.

[0046] By adjusting the positional relationship of the drive rollers 555 and 600 centered on the central flange 605 and the positional relationship of the flanges 607 and 609 centered on the central flange to adapt to narrow banknotes, a similar tendency in the direction of the short edge as for narrow banknotes can also be ensured for wide banknotes having a maximum width dimension equal to or greater than 72 mm and less than 86 mm.

While the positions of the protruding parts P1, P2 and P3 in the direction of the short edge are fixed regardless of the dimensions of the short sides of the banknotes, the length I of the upper part P3' of each of the outer protruding parts P3 varies in accordance with the dimensions of the short side B of the banknotes.

[0047] However, by setting at least the axial positions of the flanges 607 and 609 on both sides, that is, the interval between the flanges 607 and 609, ensuring the processing of banknotes with a minimum width of less than 72 mm, the appropriate forming of wide banknotes can be performed, while the location of the drive rollers and the flanges remains fixed.

That is, since both the narrow banknotes and the wide banknotes are conveyed in such a manner that the central portion of their short side substantially coincides with the central portion of the central flange 605 in the width direction on the discharge conveying route 510, the positions where the upward protruding portions P1 and P3 and the downward protruding portions P2 are formed (distances from the central portion of the short side) are the same, and only the length H of the section extending outward from each of the protruding portions P3 is different.

The length I1 of the upper portion P3' of each of the outermost protruding portions P3 is short in a banknote if the length of the short side is less than 72 mm, while the length I1 of the upper portions P3' is longer when the short side is greater than 85 mm. However, since the upper portions P3' are gripped by the outer flanges 607 and 609 during unloading from the forming mechanism, the upper portions P3' are prevented from significantly hanging downwards. In a banknote that has normal rigidity, also after unloading, its downward hanging is similarly prevented.

[0048] Meanwhile, since the device is configured in a way that all drive rollers and flanges are located within 72 mm, which is the size of the short side of narrow banknotes, both ends of wide banknotes have a shape that protrudes downward greatly if the short side is deformed into an M shape. Accordingly, the banknote already folded on the dispensing tray is likely to hit the front end of the next banknote just discharged. As a result, a stacking failure occurs, such as pushing the already folded banknote out of the dispensing tray or deforming the deflection of the next banknotes.

[0049]<Stacking Wheel>

The unloading transport stacking unit 500 further includes stacking wheels 650. That is, each of the stacking wheels 650 has an axis attached to a rotating shaft 552 in a position that is more external in the axial direction than the drive roller 555 or 600, and more internal than the flange 607 or 609. Each of the stacking wheels 650 has a configuration in which blades 654, having the same length, are attached to the outer circumference of the base portion 652 of small diameter at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction in order to protrude radially. In this example, three blades 654 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees. Each of the blades 654 is narrow and strip-shaped, formed from an easily elastically deformable material, for example, from a rubber plate, and has a shape curved in the direction of rotation, at least as a whole. Alternatively, each of the blades 654 may be configured to be bent by centrifugal force during rotation of the laying wheel.

Because stacking wheels 650 are located on the same axis as drive rollers 555 and 600, there is a risk that paddles 654 will interfere with the banknote being discharged from the clamping portions between the drive roller and the tension roller (the last pair of rollers), hindering discharge, depending on the paddle circumferential spacing settings or the rotational speed of the stacking wheels. To eliminate this risk, the banknote discharge speed and paddle rotational speed are set to ensure that the discharge of an individual banknote begins and is completed with a 120-degree circumferential spacing between each paddle.

While the banknote passes through the final pairs of rollers, none of the paddles interfere with the note. However, as will be described later, after the trailing end of the note has passed through the final pairs of rollers, the paddle rotating above interferes with the note and contacts it, performing the work of pulling the note downward and backward.

[0050] Each of the blades 654 of the stacking wheel according to the present embodiment is a flat and sheet-shaped body in the form of a belt made of an elastic material such as rubber, and a high-friction section 656, in which small concave portions 656a and convex portions 656b are alternately arranged, is provided on the surface of the distal end (the surface of contact with the banknote) of the blade. The concave portions 656a forming the high-friction section 656 are formed of a material having a higher coefficient of friction than that of the material of the main body of the blades. If the surface in contact with the banknote is generally flat, the frictional resistance is reduced due to the adhesion of paper dust or dirt. However, with the high-friction section 656 formed of concave and convex portions, slippage between the surface and the banknote can be prevented. Specifically, by forcing paper dust into the recessed areas, the frictional resistance caused by the paper dust is prevented from decreasing. The high-friction section itself is elastically deformed by contact with the guide element, performing an expanding and contracting motion. This allows paper dust in the recessed areas to be easily discharged and enables the automatic cleaning function. Furthermore, the provision of high-friction section 656 can increase the hardness of the distal end sections of the blades, which are most likely to wear due to friction with banknotes.

The high-friction section 656 of the present embodiment has concave portions 656a, which are cuboids that are long and continue in the width direction of each of the blades, and convex portions 656b, which are grooves located between two concave portions 656a. However, this is only an example, and any high-friction section can be used, provided that it has a configuration in which the concave portions and convex portions are arranged alternately.

[0051]<Bill Holding Lever>

The unloading transport stacking unit 500 further includes a banknote holding lever 670 (hereinafter referred to as the "lever") for holding a banknote vigorously ejected from the forming mechanism, while simultaneously slowing down the banknote to stop (unload) the banknote in a suitable position on the surface of the dispensing tray 700. The lever 670 is configured to have a rear end portion (rear portion) supported around an axis by a lever shaft 672, which is configured to rotate in a top-down direction, thereby allowing the portion in front of the rear end portion, in particular the portion protruding on the dispensing tray, to rotate in a top-down direction. The lever 670 is lowered by its own weight onto the upper surface of the dispensing tray 700 (or the already stacked banknotes) at the normal time when the work of discharging the banknote by the forming mechanism 550 is not performed, and is pushed upward by the banknote B to ensure its passage when the banknote having sufficient rigidity passes the forming mechanism 550.

That is, the lever shaft 672 is provided on the frame 660 located above the rotating shaft 552, the rear part of the lever 670 has an axis supported by the lever shaft 672, which is configured to rotate in the direction from top to bottom, the lever is lowered along an arc of a circle due to its own weight onto the dispensing tray (or already stacked banknotes), and is pushed upward by the banknote when unloading the banknote.

[0052] The lever shaft 672 is located at the rear of the rotating shaft 552 (located downstream from the banknote conveying direction on the discharge conveying route) and above the rotating shaft. The rotation trajectory of the lever 670 in the top-down direction on the lever shaft is in an axial positional relationship, touching the central flange 605. That is, the width dimension of the lever has a value that prevents the central flange 605. However, an opening portion (a contact-preventing portion) 673 is formed in the central portion of the distal end edge of the lever in the width direction in order to avoid contact with the flange 605. That is, the distal end edge of the lever 670 is bifurcated branched ends 670a, and the opening portion 673, which enters the central flange, is formed between the branched ends. Each of the branched portions 670a is made of a narrow, strip-like plate material and extends parallel to the opening portion 673 located between them. Due to the presence of the opening portion 673, the lever can pivot downward beyond the central flange 605, while avoiding the central flange, and can move toward the upper surface of the dispensing tray 700.

The function of the lever 670 is to continue to be in contact (sliding contact) with the upper surface of the banknote B during the discharge of the banknote conveyed along the discharge route 510 from the forming mechanism 550, thereby applying downward pressure to the banknote due to the lever's own weight, to stably discharge the banknote onto the dispensing tray 700 and to hold the banknotes stacked on the dispensing tray to prevent them from rising.

Thus, the lever in the lowered position must ensure the passage of a banknote that is sufficiently rigid and has passed through the forming mechanism, thanks to the banknote being pushed upward quickly and with high sensitivity. Meanwhile, since the lever must support already stacked banknotes, weighting element 675 is attached to the appropriate location at the front of the lever to add weight as needed.

[0053] That is, if the lever is not sufficiently pushed upward by the ejected banknote, a problem arises in which the banknote cannot reach the normal stopping position on the dispensing tray, and stops in a crumpled state at the back of the dispensing tray or hits the back of the already folded banknote to push the banknote out. Accordingly, the weight of the lever must be reduced so that it can be pushed upward by the banknote to a sufficient height. Meanwhile, the lever must have such a weight that it presses the upper surfaces of the already stacked banknotes to prevent them from rising when the lever is lowered.

As will be described later with reference to Fig. 11 and the like, the front end portion of the banknote B conveyed along the discharge conveyance route 510 can be brought into contact with the lower surface of the lever and begin to push the lever upward in a position between the lever shaft 672 and the rotating shaft 552. In the discharge conveyance route 510, the banknote is deformed to a flat spatial position by compression of the conveyance guides 510a located at locations above and below with a narrow interval or by the clamping force of the pair 517 of conveyance rollers, and the banknote is temporarily given greater rigidity. Accordingly, even when the banknote, which has a tendency to curl or is soft, is pressed by the lever located closer to the rotating shaft 552, the banknote can begin to push the lever upward without being pinched or crushed. In addition, since the front end portion of the banknote passed through the forming mechanism 550 is formed in a W shape and has greater rigidity, the banknote can be advanced while quickly pushing the lever upward with greater force, and can be discharged and stopped at an optimal position on the dispensing tray.

It is believed that the reason why the weight is generally added to the lever by the weighting member 675 is to enable the banknote processing device 1 to process banknotes of different weights, materials, hardness levels, etc., if the banknote processing device 1 is designed to be compatible with different banknotes in countries around the world. That is, the lever has the function of pushing forward the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism to facilitate its discharge (advancement), and the function of holding the discharged banknote to control the discharge position. It was taken into account that in the case where the weight of the lever is fixed, even if conditions such as the weight of the banknote vary greatly, a situation arises in which the lever is too light or too heavy compared to the banknote, and the functions of the lever cannot be properly ensured, so it is necessary to adjust the weight by means of the weighting member. However, experiments using the M2 banknote unloading and stacking device confirmed that banknotes from around the world can be processed only with a 10-gram weight attached to the lever. Therefore, in the current embodiment, attaching a weight of a certain weight to the lever is sufficient, and there is no need to adjust the weight according to conditions such as banknote type.

However, it has also been confirmed that adjusting the weight of the load is effective for soft banknotes to normalize the operation of the lever, regardless of the type of banknotes.

[0054]<Dispensing Tray>

The dispensing tray 700 (discharge tray) is a means for receiving banknotes discharged (released) from the forming mechanism 550 and stacking them into a stack of banknotes and, as illustrated in the perspective view of Fig. 2, the vertical sectional view of Fig. 8 and the like, generally includes a base surface 701 (a first upper surface) that is substantially horizontal and flat, inclined projecting portions 703 that are respectively provided on both end portions of the base surface in the width direction near the distal end to project forward, and each of which has an upwardly inclined surface (a second upper surface) 703a on the upper surface, retractable members (members forming an inclined surface) 705, each of which is configured to allow the front portion to rotate in the top-down direction by having a rear end portion supported around an axis in an elongated groove (hole) 704 provided on the inner edge portion of each of the inclined projecting portions, and elastic members 707 each of which biases the corresponding retractable member to the projecting position illustrated in Fig. 2 and 8. Each of the sliding members 705 is displaced into a protruding position by an elastic member at normal time, and the upper surface 705a is an inclined surface that is inclined upward relative to the inclined surface 703a of the inclined protruding portion 703. Accordingly, the sliding members 705 can brake a banknote that moves forward along the inclined protruding portions 703 to slow down and stop the banknote and prevent the banknote from falling. In order to increase the frictional resistance of the banknote, a friction sheet is glued to the upper surface 705a of each of the sliding members. In the case where the friction sheet is not provided, there is a risk that the discharged banknote slides on the upper surfaces 705a made of resin and jumps out of the dispensing tray due to the inertia of the banknote. However, the upper surfaces 705a as inclined surfaces, including the friction sheet, can effectively slow down the banknote.

For the second and subsequent banknotes, sufficient frictional resistance can be provided to the already folded banknote and an additional slowing effect can be achieved.

[0055] After completing the discharge and stacking of a predetermined number of banknotes on the dispensing tray, and when a batch of stacked banknotes is to be removed together, the user can press the sliding members 705 with his fingers and cause the upper surfaces 705a to be drawn into the grooves 704. Accordingly, the sliding members do not interfere with the operation of removing a batch of banknotes, and the batch of banknotes can be easily removed. In addition, when a jam occurs, such as a bend in a banknote, at the rear of the dispensing tray, the fingers can be inserted into the rear portion, pressing the sliding members, and the jammed banknote can be removed.

[0056]<Guide elements (guide protruding parts)>

As illustrated in the drawings, one guide member (guide protruding portion) 710 in the form of a projection is located in a position on the base surface 701 of the dispensing tray 700 and corresponds to (obstructs) the movement path of the blades 654 of each of the stacking wheels 650. As will be described later, by working together with the stacking wheels, the guide members grip the discharged banknote B before the banknote advances to complete the discharge onto the dispensing tray, and subsequently return the banknote to the space 702, thereby eliminating the stacking (discharge) failure state in which the front end of the banknote excessively protrudes from the distal end edge of the dispensing tray.

When the length of the dispensing chute in the discharge direction is reduced, a situation is expected where a banknote discharged from the forming mechanism 550 is discharged in an excessively forward position onto the dispensing chute, causing the banknote to fall out of the dispensing chute. However, this problem can be solved, as the guide elements provide means for securing the discharged banknote and moving it backwards in conjunction with the paddles, preventing the banknote from protruding excessively.

As illustrated in Fig. 2-5 and 7, each of the guide members 710 is located on the upper surface of the dispensing tray to impede the trajectory of movement of the corresponding blades, is brought into contact (impedes) with the descending blades, and allows the blades to rotate (pass through), while elastically deforming the blades. Each of the guide members 710 includes a first contact portion (upper surface 716 and rear end edge 716a), which is brought into contact with the rear portion of the banknote discharged by the forming mechanism 550 onto the dispensing tray, in a position above the upper surface of the dispensing tray (in front of the upper surface of the dispensing tray), and a curved guide surface 720, which continues so as to be curved downward from the first contact portion to the rear portion (to the side located closer to the flow) in the dispensing direction.

The positions and width dimensions of the guide elements are set such as to bring the guide elements into contact (in close proximity) with both end portions of the back portion of the banknote in the width direction, as illustrated in Fig. 5, etc.

The back portion of the banknote in the present embodiment broadly includes the portion of the back half of the banknote with which the blades can contact during the rotational movement.

[0057] More specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 7 and the like, each of the guide members 710 generally includes a front protruding portion 715 that has a rectangular and flat upper surface 716, a curved guide surface (guide surface, curved recess) 720 that continuously extends from the rear end edge (corner end portion) 716a of the upper surface that should be curved downward in a convex manner, and a guide surface 722 of the rear portion that extends substantially horizontally from the rear end edge of the curved guide surface. The rear end edge 716a is an angular portion extending linearly parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 552. The curved guide surface 720 extends so as to be curved downward and rearward with the same width as the rear end edge 716a. The rear guide surface 722 extends backward with the same width as the curved guide surface 720. In the present example, although the rear guide surface 722 is in a position slightly higher than the first upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray, this is only an example, and the rear guide surface 722 can be substantially the same height, unless this interferes with the pulling effect when working together with the blades.

Since the upper surface 716 and the rear end edge 716a of the upper surface are in positions in which the distal end portion of each of the rotationally moving blades are brought into contact with them, the distal end portion of each blade passes, being elastically deformed and coming into contact with a part of the upper surface 716 and the rear end edge 716a. In order to ensure the pulling back of the banknote in conjunction with the blades, the shapes and positional relationship of the curved guide surface 720 and the guide surface 722 of the rear part are also selected to ensure the movement of the distal end portion of each blade, while being elastically deformed and in contact with it.

[0058] Experiments were conducted with guide elements in which a flat surface, inclined downward and rearward from the rear end edge 716a, was continuously provided instead of a curved guide surface 720 located on the dispensing tray. Although a function of pulling a banknote backward was provided in conjunction with the distal end portion of each blade, the pulling efficiency was not as high as that of a curved guide surface.

As illustrated in Fig. 5(a), the guide members are configured to have a width that is twice as wide as the width of each blade or greater and extend outward in the axial direction beyond the outer flanges 607 and 609 to ensure contact with both end portions of the banknote B in the width direction. Accordingly, the guide members can be brought into contact with both end portions of the wide banknote in the width direction and can guide the banknote.

[0059]<Procedure for issuing change>

Fig. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the basic principle of the change issuing operation procedure performed by the banknote processing apparatus 1 of the present invention.

When confirming the acceptance of the deposited money and the issuance of change, the issuance of change is carried out in the order described below.

First, the control unit 1000 commands each of the circulation units 30 and 40 to dispense a predetermined number of banknotes of the denomination stored therein (Step S1). For example, the control unit 1000 commands the circulation unit 30 to dispense three 1,000 yen banknotes stored therein and commands the circulation unit 40 to dispense one of the 5,000 yen banknotes stored therein as change into the dispensing tray.

Circulation units 30 and 40 then begin dispensing the specified number of 1,000-yen notes and 5,000-yen notes (Step S3). For example, three 1,000-yen notes are dispensed sequentially from circulation unit 30, followed by one 5,000-yen note from circulation unit 40.

The denominations of banknotes dispensed from circulation units 30 and 40 are verified by recognition unit 70, located along banknote storage transport route 9b. If the banknotes have the specified denominations, they are sequentially sent to unloading transport stacking unit 500, and unloading transport of each banknote begins (S5, YES at step S7, and S9).

If it is assessed at Step S7 that the banknote is non-returnable, the banknote is deposited in the deposit unit and transported to the collection container 50 (Step S21).

If the tracking sensor 580 detects that the banknote B sent one by one to the discharge transport stacking unit 500 has passed through the forming mechanism 550 in Step S11 (Yes in Step S11), it is judged in Step S13 whether there is any next banknote. If there is any next banknote, the next banknote is sequentially discharged by the discharge transport mechanism 520 (Step S15).

Additionally, it is checked whether all the following banknotes have passed through the forming mechanism at Step S17, and the processing ends when the passage is complete.

[0060] “Comparison with a Conventional Banknote Processing Apparatus” Next, in order to clarify the advantages of the present invention by comparison with a conventional example, comparative descriptions are made using a lateral vertical sectional view of a conventional discharge conveying stacking unit 500P illustrated in Fig. 10.

The conventional unloading transport stacking unit 500P includes an unloading transport route 510P, an unloading transport mechanism 520P, a lever 670P, an unloading tray 700P, an unloading mechanism (drive roller 600P, tension roller 601P) for unloading a banknote onto a dispensing tray, etc. The unloading mechanism does not have the function of deforming the shape of the short side of the banknote into a predetermined shape to correct the tendency to curl. The lever shaft 672P of the conventional lever 670P is located on the side of the dispensing tray relative to (in front of) the shaft 552P of the drive roller, and the entire length of the lever is naturally shorter than the length of the lever of the present invention. Accordingly, the banknote B transported along the unloading transport path 510P is brought into contact with the lever 670P and begins to push the lever upward after the front end of the banknote has passed through the unloading mechanism and contacts the lever. This unloading mechanism does not have the function of deforming the shape of the short side of the banknote to increase rigidity. Therefore, in the case where the banknote is soft or has a tendency to curl downward obliquely, formed at the front end of the banknote, there is a risk that the banknote will not be able to sufficiently push the lever upward and the banknote will be crumpled, resulting in a jam. That is, when the upward push of the banknote on the lever is insufficient, there is a risk that the banknote will not be able to sufficiently move forward on the dispensing tray and will stop in a crumpled state in a position significantly closer to the rear (to the right in Fig. 10) than the normal stopping position on the dispensing tray. Accordingly, it is difficult to stack a plurality of banknotes discharged sequentially on a dispensing tray in a state in which the banknotes can be easily removed and satisfactorily aligned.

[0061] In the conventional discharge transport stacking unit 500P, the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism is brought into contact with the lower surface of the lever 670P in front of the rotating shaft 552P and in a position (contact point C) located in close proximity to the lever shaft (see Fig. 10). As a result, the distance L3' from the lever shaft 672P to the contact point C between the lever and the front end of the banknote is shorter, and accordingly, a greater force is required for the banknote to lift the lever. Thus, a soft banknote cannot sufficiently push the lever upward and is likely to be crushed in a position located behind the normal stopping position. Specifically, when the front end of the banknote reaches the contact point C, the banknote is released from the restraint of the transport roller 517P, the drive roller 552P and the tension roller 601P, and thus returns to a soft state, and the front end of the banknote is likely to be crushed downward, as illustrated in Fig. 10. Subsequently, the rear portions of the same banknote, successively released from the restraint of the rollers and discharged, are also likely to be successively crushed.

Furthermore, since the initial 9' angle of the traditional 670P lever is smaller when lowered, even more force is required for a banknote released from the ejection mechanism to push the lever upward. Therefore, a soft banknote cannot sufficiently push the lever upward and is likely to be crushed after ejection. Alternatively, a soft banknote is likely to strike the back of an already folded banknote, pushing the already folded banknote out of the dispenser chute.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the lever shaft 672 is located behind the rotating shaft 552, and the lever 670 is extended. The length of the lever 670 is set such that it allows the distal end of the lever to descend and contact the corresponding location of the upper surface (base surface 701 in the present example) of the dispensing tray in a state in which there are no banknotes on the dispensing tray. This occurs because, if there is a space between the distal end of the lever and the upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray, a banknote may slip through the space and jump out of the dispensing tray.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the distance L3 (see Fig. 11(a)) from the lever shaft to the contact point C between the lever and the banknote can be sufficiently large. Accordingly, less force is required for the banknote to push the lever upward, and the lever can be pushed upward more easily. Since the contact point C is located on the discharge conveying route 510 (before reaching the forming mechanism), the front end of the banknote at the moment of reaching the contact point C is flattened by the conveying guides 510a and the pair of conveying rollers 517, and its rigidity is temporarily increased. Thus, the lever can be effectively pushed upward.

Furthermore, with the configuration in which the distal end of the extended lever 670 is brought into contact with the upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray during the lowering of the lever, the initial angle 6 at the time of lowering the lever, as illustrated in Fig. 11(a), can be increased and the upward ejection can be facilitated during the insertion of a banknote. Thus, even a soft banknote can effectively push the lever upward.

In the present embodiment, in order to solve the problem (tendency to curl upward in the long edge direction) that a banknote discharged toward the dispensing tray cannot sufficiently push the lever upward and is lowered by the weight of the lever, three points are developed as described below.

[0063] That is, (1) the shape of the short side of the banknote is formed by the forming mechanism 550 into a predetermined shape (for example, into a W shape) that allows the rigidity to be increased along the direction of the long edge of the banknote, (2) the weight of the lever is adjusted to an optimal value by means of the weighting member 675, and (3) the effect of lifting the banknote by the lever is maintained by setting the width W1 of the central flange 605, which should be sufficiently large.

Firstly, with regard to (1), in order to form a banknote into a W-shape along its entire length, it is preferable that the forming mechanism 550 (the clamping portions n1 between the drive roller and the tension roller, and the flanges) continuously maintain the banknote in a horizontal or raised spatial position without lowering the banknote during the period until the rear end of the banknote completely passes through the forming mechanism. This function can be sufficiently ensured by the forming mechanism. That is, since the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism onto the dispensing tray 700 has increased rigidity, the banknote is discharged while the lever 670 is reliably pushed upward. That is, since the banknote is gripped by the flanges and the last pairs of rollers at the stage in which the banknote passes the forming mechanism, the portion of the banknote protruding in front of the forming mechanism can continue to maintain a state (rigidity level) in which the curling tendency has been corrected. In addition, also at the stage when the banknote has completely passed through the forming mechanism, the banknote maintains the state in which the curling tendency has been corrected and falls in a normal position, and the banknote is finally held by the lever together with the already folded banknotes.

[0064] Next, regarding (2), an analysis was performed based on the assumption that the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 is a universal model that can handle banknotes of all countries in the world. That is, banknotes of different countries differ in material, thickness, hardness, weight, size, etc., and the weight of the lever must be adjusted so as to improve the stacking efficiency while eliminating these differences. That is, if the lever is too light compared to the weight of the banknote, the effect of holding the banknotes already stacked on the dispensing tray at the moment when the lever is lowered is reduced. On the other hand, if the lever is too heavy, there is a risk that the lever excessively presses the discharged banknote. Therefore, fine adjustment of the lever weight is required using the weighting member 675.

[0065] Next, with respect to (3), in order to prevent the respective portions of the banknotes from falling into the gaps G2 between the opening portion 673 formed between the branched ends 670a of the lever and the central flange 605, the width W1 (Fig. 3) of the central flange is set sufficiently large. The reason for such settings is that if the banknote penetrates and falls into the gaps G2, the upward pushing effect of the lever is deteriorated, and there is a risk of the banknote being sagged on the dispensing tray. This point will be described later.

Such analyses have not been performed at all for a device with a traditional configuration.

[0066] "Procedure for processing the issued banknote performed by the unloading transport stacking unit"

The order of processing the issued banknote, performed by the unloading transport stacking unit 500 (forming mechanism, stacking wheels, banknote holding lever and guide elements) is explained below with reference to Fig. 11-14.

The base portion 652, as the central portion of each of the stacking wheels 650, is formed integrally with the rotating shaft 552 and rotates integrally with the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the flanges 605, 607 and 609. The conventional stacking wheel is used to eject the discharged banknote B with blades to prevent the banknote from jumping forward from the dispensing tray. In contrast, in addition to the conventional function, the stacking wheel of the present embodiment provides the function of pulling back the banknotes discharged one by one, in conjunction with the guide member 710 provided on the dispensing tray, during the falling of the banknote.

[0067] Fig. 11(a)-11(d) are explanatory diagrams (lateral vertical cross-sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying stacking unit 500, sequentially illustrating the states from the moment when the leading end of the banknote B conveyed in the discharge direction along the discharge conveying route 510 is brought into contact with the lever, and until the leading end of the banknote passes through the forming mechanism 550, while the banknote pushes the lever upward.

Fig. 12(e) and 12(f) are explanatory diagrams (lateral vertical sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying stacking unit 500, illustrating the state immediately before the rear end of the banknote B passes the forming mechanism and the state immediately after passing. Fig. 12(g), 12(h), 13(i)-13(l), and 14(m)-14(o) are explanatory diagrams of the process until the banknote falls onto the dispensing tray, and the operation procedure performed by the paddles for drawing the banknote back.

Since the shape of the dispensed banknote B is illustrated in the drawings, only the shape of the end surface of the banknote cut along the short side of the central portion is illustrated. In other words, the state and movement trajectory of the cut surface of the banknote corresponding to the central portion of the short side (protruding portion P1), corresponding to the central flange 605, are illustrated. Therefore, the states and movement trajectories of the locations of the short sides (protruding portions P2 and P3), corresponding to the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the outer flanges 607 and 609, and the beveled sides S1 and S2 are not illustrated.

[0068] The banknote being dispensed is flattened by the action of pressing from above and below by the conveying rollers (conveying members) 517 and the like on the discharge conveying route before entering the forming mechanism 550. However, after the banknote passes through the forming mechanism, the shape of the short side is formed (provided with a tendency) into a W-shape along the long edge direction, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Accordingly, the actual shape of the banknote located downstream of the forming mechanism is formed into a three-dimensional W-shape. However, since the banknote is illustrated in a sectional view obtained by cutting the central portion of the short side of the banknote along the entire length in Figs. 11-14, as described above, the difference in the shape (thickness in the vertical direction) of the banknote before passing through the forming mechanism and after passing is not shown.

Since the lever 670 is configured to move the distal end portion of the lever up and down without interfering with the central flange 605, although the lever shaft 672 is located behind the rotating shaft 552, the following behaviors are possible.

In Fig. 11 (a), a banknote B, which is discharged from any of the circulation units and which is transported along the banknote transport route 9b for storage in an inverted spatial position, is directed to the discharge transport route 510 by a roller 512a, which is rotationally driven in a counterclockwise direction, to work together with the shutter 514 in the illustrated switching spatial position. In Fig. 11(a), the front end of the banknote contacts the lower surface of the lever 670 and begins to press the lower surface at a position immediately before the forming mechanism 550, that is, at a position immediately before the clamping portions n1 between the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the corresponding driven rollers 556 and 601. That is, at the stage when the banknote has not reached the forming mechanism, the lever 670 is lowered by its own weight and is in contact with the upper surface of the dispensing tray 700 at the distal end, as illustrated in Fig. 11(a). Being pressed by the banknote at a place (at the contact point C) located at a distance L3 from the lever shaft 672, the lever is pushed upward, as illustrated in Fig. 11(b). Since the lever shaft 672 is located behind the rotating shaft 552, the front end of the banknote can be brought into contact with the lever and begin pushing the lever upward to the position illustrated in Fig. 11(a) (the position located closer to the rotating shaft). In addition, since a sufficiently large distance L3 is provided between the lever shaft and the contact point C, and the initial angle 9 of the lever is set at a large angle, close to 180 degrees, the lever can be pushed upward with little force.

[0069] In Fig. 11(c), since the movement of the banknote B in the discharge direction progresses from that shown in Fig. 11(b), the lever is pressed by the banknote and is further pushed upward. However, the lever has not yet reached the lower surface of the frame 660 located above it. At this stage, the front end of the banknote has not yet completely passed through the forming mechanism.

When the banknote passes the forming mechanism, the central part of the short side of the banknote moves along the upper part of the central flange 605, the section of the short side corresponding to the drive roller 555, 660 passes the clamping part n1 with the tension roller 556, 601, and the section of the short side corresponding to the outer flange 607, 609 moves along the upper part of the outer flange. The time intervals during which the sections of the short side move the corresponding parts are essentially the same. The completion of the passage of the banknote through the forming mechanism indicates a state in which the sections of the short side of the banknote have completely left the central flange 605, the clamping part n1 between each drive roller and the corresponding tension roller (the last pair of rollers), and the outer flanges.

In the next step in Fig. 11(d), the banknote is still compressively held (captured) by the flanges and the last pairs of rollers forming the forming mechanism, while the front end of the banknote passes and moves slightly forward from the forming mechanism, so that the shape of the short side of the section that has completed the passage is formed in the shape of the letter W. Accordingly, the front end section of the banknote, located further downstream from the forming mechanism, is in a state of providing high rigidity, and the lever is pushed upward to a position in which the lever does not contact the frame 660 with the front end portion of the banknote having high rigidity, and stops lifting. At this point in time, the section of the banknote, located further downstream from the forming mechanism, does not bend when pressed by the lever. Thus, the spatial position of this section of the banknote does not tilt or bend downward, and maintains a horizontal spatial position or an upwardly inclined spatial position.

[0070] In Fig. 12(e), the front portion of the banknote, except for the rear portion clamped by the clamping portions n1 between the drive rollers and the corresponding driven rollers, is completely provided with high rigidity by the forming mechanism and, accordingly, continues to push the lever upward to the highest position, while maintaining a substantially straight spatial position, as illustrated. That is, the banknote is discharged along the lower surface of the lever in the highest position. However, at this stage, the front end of the banknote has not yet descended into the dispensing tray.

Fig. 12(f) illustrates a state in which the rear end of the banknote B has completely passed through the forming mechanism 550.

Even if the leading end of a banknote initially has a downward curling tendency due to the formation of a curve in it, this curling tendency is eliminated during the step where the banknote is discharged from the forming mechanism toward the dispensing tray. Thus, the banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray does not push the already stacked banknotes out of the dispensing tray. That is, in the process shown in Fig. 12(e)-Fig. 12(f), the leading end of the next banknote does not contact the rear or other portions of the already stacked banknotes to push the banknote out of the dispensing tray.

[0071] The tendency for banknotes to curl has also been eliminated by forming them in a forming mechanism, and the banknotes maintain a straight and flat spatial position along their entire length. Thus, banknotes already folded in a stack do not cause unwanted contact with the next banknote.

In the subsequent steps illustrated in Fig. 12(g) and 12(h), the leading end of the banknote protrudes from the distal end of the dispensing tray. If this condition is not corrected, the banknote may fall out of the dispensing tray. In the case where the length of the second block M2 in the front-to-back direction is required to be reduced, the length of the dispensing tray in the front-to-back direction is reduced, and the phenomenon described above is likely to occur. In this case, the leading end of the banknote, formed by the forming mechanism and released from it, is likely to protrude significantly from the leading end edge of the shortened dispensing tray and fall when the banknote is discharged onto the dispensing tray while being held by the lever.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention is designed in such a way that the return space 702 is formed in the rear portion of the dispensing tray 700 at the time when the banknote has been discharged in a state that greatly protrudes from the distal end edge (of the sliding members 705 in this example) of the dispensing tray, as illustrated in Fig. 12(g) and 12(h). Guide members 710 in the form of projections are fixedly disposed on the upper surface of the dispensing tray corresponding to the space 702 for returning to positions corresponding to the movement paths of the blades 654 of the stacking wheels. When each of the guide members and the corresponding stacking wheel operate together, the banknote B, which has already been discharged onto the dispensing tray, returns to the space 702, thereby eliminating the state in which the front end of the banknote protrudes from the distal end edge of the dispensing tray.

[0072] The arrangement and height of each of the guide members 710 are configured to ensure that the pulling by the blades is to be initiated at a stage when the rear portion of the banknote falling on the dispensing tray is in the air before falling on the upper surfaces 716 or the rear end edges 716a of the guide members, as illustrated in Fig. 12(g) and 12(h). That is, the arrangement and height are configured to cause that the first contact between the falling banknote and the blades is performed at a time when the banknote is in the air.

Due to variations in banknote behavior, the distal ends of the paddles can be brought into contact with the back of the banknote after it lands on the upper surfaces of the guide elements or simultaneously with the banknote's fall. In this case, it was also confirmed that the banknote could be moved backwards without any problems.

The length and positional relationship of each of the blades 654 c are set so as to ensure that the blades are always brought into sliding contact with the outer surfaces of the guide elements 710 during the rotational movement.

[0073] The rotation speed of the stacking wheels, the time intervals of rotation of the paddles relative to the banknote being discharged, and the length of the paddles (the rotation path of the ends of the paddles) are selected such as to allow the paddles 654 to move rotationally from above to grip the rear portion of the banknote being discharged onto the dispensing tray and to pull the rear portion downwards toward the guide members 710, as illustrated in Fig. 12(g), 12(h), 13(i) and 13(j). The positions of the guide elements in the front-back direction on the dispensing tray, the length of the upper surfaces 716 in the front-back direction, and the positions of the rear end edges 716a in the front-back direction are selected such as to ensure that the surface of the lower part of the banknote, pulled downward by the blades 654 c, can easily be brought into contact with the upper surfaces and the rear end edges of the guide elements, as illustrated in the drawings described above.

With this configuration, even if the discharged banknote protrudes forward excessively, the blades 654 c can grasp the rear end of the banknote in the air at an early time during the discharge of the banknote, and can begin to pull the banknote downward and backward. It is also possible that the blades 654 c can begin to clamp the lower surface of the rear part of the banknote with the rear end edges 716a of the guide members at the time when the blades have reached the rear end edges 716a, and after that can pull the entire banknote backward, clamping the banknote between the distal ends of the blades and the curved guide surfaces 720 (Fig. 13(k), 13(l) and 14(m)-14(o)).

Since the banknote, the rear end of which has left the forming mechanism 550, is lowered by being pressed downward by the lever 670, in the steps illustrated in Fig. 12(g) and the following figures, the banknote can be pulled back while being lowered by the combined operation of the lever and the blades.

[0074] More specifically, in order to increase the processing speed for dispensing banknotes, the present invention is configured in such a way that, before the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism 550 completely falls onto the upper surface of the dispensing tray or the guide members 710 at the stage when the back of the banknote is in the air (Fig. 12(g) and 12(h)), the distal end portions of the blades 654c are brought into contact with the back of the banknote. By appropriately selecting or setting the timing of the contact between the blades and each banknote in this manner, in other words, the rotation speed of the blades and the discharging speed of the banknotes, the work of forcibly pulling the banknote in the descending and rearward direction can be started at the time when the back of the banknote, which is in the air, is brought into contact with the blades. Subsequently, when the paddles descend to a position where they contact the upper and rear ends of the guide elements, the rear portion of the banknote is clamped between the paddles and the guide elements. Thus, the banknote is reliably pulled rearward along the curved guide surfaces 720 by the subsequent rotational movement of the paddles. Thus, all banknotes are stacked in a state where their rear ends are aligned on the dispensing tray, despite the difference in size along the long edge, and their fall out of the distal end of the dispensing tray is prevented.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray is pulled back after the front end portion is temporarily discharged onto the dispensing tray (on the drawers 705), as illustrated in Fig. 12(g) to 14(o). When this phenomenon is observed from the return port side, the banknote acts to be temporarily discharged in a state protruding from the front end edge of the dispensing tray, and must be pulled back immediately after that and stop.

The fall path and fall times of a banknote with increased rigidity by the forming mechanism 550 are relatively stable and constant. However, in the case of a banknote with an extremely strong tendency to curl upward, or a so-called crumpled banknote whose initial rigidity is significantly reduced, there is a risk that the fall path and fall times will change even after the forming process is completed by the forming mechanism. Accordingly, the time intervals at which the paddles grip the rear portion of the banknote in mid-air are not always uniform. The rear portion of the banknote may fall onto the guide elements before the paddles engage it. However, according to the present embodiment, even in this case, the paddles can clamp the rear portion of the banknote between the guide elements to pull the banknote backward.

[0076] More specifically, the configuration, rotation timing, etc. of the stacking wheels are set to eject the discharged banknote downward. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the stacking wheels may be designed to allow the banknote having a short-side shape, formed into a W-shape by the forming mechanism 550 and discharged therefrom, to be brought into contact with the blades in the air during the falling process until the tendency to curl before formation reaches a normal level. However, when the tendency to curl upward in the direction of the long edge of the banknote is extremely strong, a case may arise where sufficient rigidity cannot be ensured since a completely W-shape cannot be formed by the forming mechanism along the entire length of the banknote. In such a case, a situation may arise in which the curling tendency returns as the banknote exits the forming mechanism, the trailing end of the banknote curls away from the blades, and the trailing end of the banknote falls onto the guide members 710 before it contacts the blades. However, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, even in this case, the trailing end of the banknote is caught by the guide members to prevent it from moving forward, and is captured and moved backward by the distal end of the subsequently lowering blade. As a result, the banknote is prevented from falling out of the dispensing tray.

A crumpled banknote, the rigidity of which has been significantly reduced, can be processed in the same way.

[0077] In light of the above configurations and functions of the stacking wheels 650, the lever 670, the guide members 710, and the like, the operation of the stacking wheels to pull the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism 550 back in a process in which the lever pushes the banknote downward is further described below.

As illustrated in Fig. 12(g) and 12(h), when the blades 654 c rotating downward are brought into contact with the rear portion of the banknote B discharged from the forming mechanism 550 onto the dispensing tray, while the rear portion of the banknote is still in the air, the high-friction section 656 securely grips the banknote and begins the work of forcibly pulling the banknote downward and backward in combination with the pressing operation of the lever. That is, since the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism is displaced forward, the banknote tries to move in the air toward the distal end edge of the dispensing tray 700. By bringing the blades 654 c, moving downwards relative to the rear of the banknote, which is in the air, as illustrated in the drawings, into contact with the banknote, the inertia of the banknote for advancement can be reduced to stop the movement of the banknote in the advancement direction, and then the banknote can be further directed in the direction (downward and backward) in which the blades 654 c rotate.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, an example of a configuration is described in which a new lever 670 is used, which has a lever shaft 672 located upstream of the forming mechanism on the discharge transport route 510. However, this is one example, and a conventional lever (Fig. 10) can be used, which has a lever shaft located outside the terminal end portion of the discharge transport route, that is, above the dispensing tray. That is, also in the discharge transport stacking unit including the conventional lever, the effect of pulling the banknote can be obtained by using the stacking wheels and guide elements 710.

When the blades 654 c continue to rotate downward after catching the rear portion of the banknote B in the air, as shown in Fig. 12(g) and 12(h), the blades 654 c push the rear portion of the banknote downward until the rear portion comes into contact with the upper surfaces 716 and the rear end edges 716a of the guide members 710. At this point in time, the rear portion of the banknote is in a state of being compressively held between the high-friction portion 656 and the rear end edges 716a. Thus, by the blades, which further continue the rotational movement, the banknote is moved backward along the curved guide surfaces 720 and the guide surfaces of the rear portions 722, as sequentially illustrated in Fig. 13 and 14.

At the moment illustrated in Fig. 14(o), the paddles 654c are almost separated from the trailing end of the banknote, and accordingly, the backward movement of the banknote is stopped. A stop for aligning the trailing ends of the banknotes moved backward can be provided at the terminal end portion of space 702 for return as needed.

[0079] As described above, the blades 654 c are brought into contact with the rear portion of the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism in a position in front of and above the upper surfaces 716 of the guide members at earlier time intervals than the fall (contact) of the rear portion on the upper surfaces 716, and begin to pull the banknote to be returned downward and backward (in a direction opposite to the discharge direction of the banknote). In other words, the contact point C between each of the distal ends of the blades and the banknote can be set at a more distant position along the rotational path of the distal end of the blade. Accordingly, it is possible to begin pulling the banknote backward at an earlier stage, before the banknote is completely discharged onto the dispensing tray, and thus the processing speed of folding a stack of banknotes can be increased.

Furthermore, by providing guide elements 710, the rear portion of the banknote can be brought into contact with the rear end edges 716a of the guide elements during the fall when the rear portion is in a higher position than the top surface 701 of the dispensing tray. That is, the rear portion of the banknote can engage the rear end edges 716a at earlier time intervals, before the rear portion of the banknote is discharged onto the dispensing tray. Accordingly, the banknote, already discharged onto the dispensing tray in a state protruding from the front end edge of the dispensing tray, can be quickly pulled back and stopped in an optimal position.

[0080] According to the above configuration, the rear ends of all banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray can be consistently aligned regardless of the size of the banknotes in the long edge direction. Thus, while preventing banknotes from excessively protruding from the distal end edge of the dispensing tray or falling out, a plurality of banknotes stacked on the dispensing tray can be brought to an optimal state so that the user can remove the banknotes together.

There is a pressing need to minimize and shorten the dispensing tray. This requirement can be met by aligning the tails of the dispensed banknotes with the rear of the dispensing tray.

[0081] The following describes in more detail the configuration and operation of the guide members and stacking wheels according to the present invention for pulling (pulling) a banknote backwards, compared to the configuration and operation of a conventional stacking wheel.

The stacking wheel, used to hold a banknote being dispensed into the dispensing chute, traditionally only serves to restrain the banknote from jumping forward by pressing it into the dispensing chute with downward-rotating paddles. This means that traditional paddles only serve to restrain the dispensing banknote, preventing it from floating and jumping forward, and to hold the banknote after it has been unloaded onto the top surface of the dispensing chute or immediately before unloading. Furthermore, the distal end of each paddle begins a rearward rotational movement, elastically deforming after the paddle has clamped the banknote and is in contact with the top surface of the dispensing chute. However, since the top surface of the dispensing chute is flat, the banknote cannot be pushed backward, even if the distal end of the paddle moves backward. That is, after the distal end portion of the paddle of the conventional stacking wheel is brought into contact with the banknote, the distal end portion of the paddle only moves backward while sliding on the upper surface of the banknote located between the distal end portion and the upper surface of the dispensing tray, and the conventional stacking wheel does not have the function of pulling back the banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, when a banknote is released from the forming mechanism 550, the distal ends of the paddles are brought into contact with the rear portion of the banknote at time intervals sufficiently earlier than the banknote is discharged onto the upper surface of the dispensing tray, that is, at the correspondingly earlier time intervals immediately after the banknote is released to begin decelerating the banknote and changing direction. Subsequently, the stacking wheels also continue to lower the banknote backward at a time until the rear surface of the portion of the banknote in contact with the distal ends of the paddles is brought into contact with the upper surfaces or rear end edges (located in a higher position than the upper surface of the dispensing tray) of the guide members. After the distal ends of the paddles begin to clamp the banknote with the front projecting portions 715 of the guide members, the entire banknote can be smoothly moved downward and backward along the curved guide surface 720.

[0082] The distal ends of the blades begin to deform elastically when the banknote is clamped by the rigid guide elements 710. During the sequential movement of the front end of the banknote through the rear end edges 716a of the guide elements to the curved guide surfaces 720 and the guide surfaces 722 of the rear parts, being elastically deformed, the distal ends of the blades increase the area of contact with the surface of the banknote, elastically deforming into a shape along the parts of the guide elements (without causing slipping between the banknote and the distal ends of the blades), and can provide a longer time for pulling the banknote, in contact with it. That is, the area in which the distal end parts of the blades contact the banknote increases, and the contact pressing force decreases. Thus, the force for pulling the banknote increases and reliable pulling is ensured without slipping between the banknote and the blades.

Furthermore, the traditional stacking wheel lacks the ability to pull the ejected banknote in the opposite direction to the ejection direction, and the concept of using paddles to pull the banknote in the opposite direction has not yet been devised. In contrast, in the present invention, each guide element, with its upper surface located above the upper surface of the dispensing tray, is positioned in a position that interferes with the paddles, thereby achieving a reliable pulling effect when the guide elements and paddles work together.

The falling position of a banknote released from the nip portions n1 of the drive roller and the tension roller onto the dispensing tray can be varied in a forward-backward direction according to conditions such as the intensity of the banknote's tendency to curl. However, in the present invention, a banknote that falls further can be caught in mid-air by the paddles of the stacking wheels and then moved in a direction opposite to the dispensing direction by cooperating with the guide elements. If the guide elements are not provided, the paddles hold the banknote on the flat upper surface of the dispensing tray. Consequently, no force is generated to pull the banknote backward, and a force to press the banknote (a force to stop the banknote) can be provided.

[0083] In particular, each guide member according to the present embodiment has a curved guide surface 720 continuously provided from the rear end edge of the upper surface and curved and descending from the upper front portion to the lower rear portion, and this curved surface substantially coincides with the rotation path of the blades. Thus, the guide members ensure that the banknote is pulled when the banknote slides backward.

The curved shape of the curved guide surface 720 is configured to overlap the circular path of the distal end portions of the blades on the rotating shaft 552. The radius of curvature of the curved guide surface is configured to be smaller than the radius of curvature of the circular path of the distal end portions of the blades. However, it is also possible for the curved guide surface not to have an arcuate shape; it is sufficient for the curved guide surface to have a curved shape that allows the banknote to be smoothly guided backward, while the rear portion of the banknote is clamped by the distal end portion of the blade.

[0084] By setting the frictional resistance of the surface on which the guide members 710 contact the banknote to a small (less frictional resistance to the upper surface of the dispensing tray), the slippage between the banknote and the guide members can be improved, and the backward movement of the banknote can be smoother.

In the second unit (banknote unloading and stacking device, or joint dispensing unit) M2, which includes a forming mechanism 550, the banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray is formed to increase its rigidity, and the right and left ends of the short side are tilted upward. Thus, even when guide elements 710 are not provided, it is possible to prevent a curved banknote from falling onto an already folded banknote or from the curved banknote itself falling out of the dispensing tray. Accordingly, when a forming mechanism is provided, guide elements are not necessary to prevent a curved banknote from falling out of the dispensing tray.

However, the action on the banknote by the combined operation of the guide elements and the blades is useful in terms of improving the efficiency of aligning the banknote on the dispensing tray or ensuring that it does not fall.

The situation in which the blades of the stacking wheel, rotating without any interruption, hold the rear parts of the already stacked banknotes with the guide elements, is also a factor that makes it possible to overcome the problem of the already stacked banknotes being pushed out by the next banknote.

Although the correction of a banknote having a tendency to curl upward has been described as an advantage of the forming mechanism 550 according to the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the forming mechanism also has a function of correcting the tendency of a banknote to curl downward.

[0085] "Measures for banknotes having reduced rigidity" In the case where the forming mechanism 550 is not provided on the unloading transport stacking unit 500, that is, in the case where the flanges 605, 607 and 609 are not provided, the banknote having low rigidity is unloaded onto the dispensing tray from the clamping parts n1 by the last pairs of rollers (drive roller 555, 600 and tension roller 556, 601). The banknote having low rigidity after unloading, in such a configuration, should move only under the action of its own rigidity and fall onto the dispensing tray, while lifting the lever 670 with this rigidity. The banknote having rigidity below a predetermined level is clamped by the lever and it cannot move forward beyond the lever.

That is, if the flanges 605, 607 and 609 are missing, a banknote having a rigidity below a predetermined level, when transported along the unloading transport route 510, cannot sufficiently push the lever 670 upward and be discharged in an appropriate position onto the dispensing tray 700 during unloading onto the dispensing tray, regardless of whether the banknote includes a tendency to curl.

In other words, since the lever is not fully raised and maintains a low spatial position during unloading, the banknote cannot move forward beyond the lever, resulting in a pinched state. Consequently, a banknote with low rigidity will likely be crushed in the narrow space between the lower surface of the lever, which remains lowered, and the upper surface of the dispensing tray. If multiple banknotes are to be unloaded as change, one banknote with low rigidity will cause unloading failure or misalignment of subsequent banknotes.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the above-described problem can be overcome because the rigidity of a banknote having a rigidity reduced below a predetermined level can be increased by the forming mechanism 550.

In addition, as already described, since the lever shaft 672 is located upstream of the drive shaft (rotary shaft) 552 of the last pairs of rollers, and the banknote is transported by the transport rollers 517 in the forward direction with great force, even a banknote having very low rigidity can push the lever upward with great force.

The weight of lever 670 and the initial lever angle (the tilt angle at the moment when the lever is at its lowest point) are also set to ensure that a banknote with a stiffness below a predetermined level can lift the lever. As an example, the weight of the lever, excluding weighting element 675, is approximately 10 grams, and the initial lever angle is 21 degrees.

[0087] [Banknote Discharge Conveying Device: Second Embodiment]

With the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 according to the second embodiment, even a very damaged banknote (a crumpled banknote) can be discharged and stacked in a normal state on the dispensing tray, and the banknote is formed into a required shape by the forming mechanism 550 to increase rigidity.

When the degree of reduction in the rigidity of the dispensed banknote B is large, that is, when the banknote is crumpled, the rigidity cannot be increased sufficiently to be as high as that of a normal banknote having a sufficiently high rigidity, even if the forming mechanism 550 attempts to form the shape of the short side of the banknote into a predetermined shape.

[0088] Fig. 15 is a comparative example showing a configuration example in which the gaps G2 in the banknote stacking and discharging device are increased, and is a partial sectional view from the front illustrating a state in which a banknote having a significantly reduced rigidity passes a forming mechanism in which the gaps G2 are set to be excessively large.

When the intervals (gaps G2) between the opening portion 673 between the branched ends 670a at the distal end of the lever and the central flange 605 are excessively large, during the passage of a banknote having a significantly reduced rigidity through the forming mechanism 550, in other words, when the width of the flange W1 is too small relative to the width W3 of the opening portion 673, the gaps G2 become large. Accordingly, as illustrated, a portion of the banknote falls into (deepens into) the gaps G2, which makes it difficult to push the lever upward. That is, a banknote having a significantly reduced rigidity is likely to be pinched at a portion of the leading end edge corresponding to each of the gaps G2 and will enter the gaps G2 before the lever is pushed upward. In addition, the next portion of the banknote is also pinched and enters the gaps G2 in conjunction with the advancement following the leading end. Accordingly, the rigidity of the sections included in the gaps G2 decreases, and the force (intensity) of pushing the lever upward decreases.

[0089] It is expected that, as specific values, the crumpled banknote falls to a depth of about 2.5 mm into each of the gaps G2, and the height position of the lever on the rotating shaft 552 is lowered by 2.5 mm due to the formation of sunken sections. Therefore, the lever accordingly rotates downward at an angle of about 7.5 degrees. In other words, without entering the gaps of 2.5 mm, the lever is in the initial spatial position, at an upward angle of 7.5 degrees. If the banknote cannot sufficiently push the lever upward, and the angle of the lever decreases as a result, the risk that the banknote will bend until it jams when brought into contact with the upper surface of the dispensing tray increases.

This problem is described based on the relationship between the central flange 605 and the drive roller 555 illustrated in Fig. 15. Since the distance between the upper corner portion 605a of the central flange and the upper corner portion 555a of the drive roller is short, the force (rigidity) for holding the portion of the banknote located between the corner portions becomes larger. Compared with the distance between the corner portion 605a of the central flange 605 and the corner portion 555a of the drive roller 555 according to the first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the distance of the corresponding portion in Fig. 15 is significantly larger. Accordingly, in the configuration example shown in Fig. 15, the banknote is more likely to enter the gaps G2. If the banknote enters the gaps G2, it has a sagging shape, and the lever angle is reduced by the banknote entered into the gaps. This applies equally to the relationship between the central flange 605 and the outer drive roller 600.

[0090] <Unloading transport stacking unit>

In order to solve this problem, in the unloading transport stacking unit 500, the relationship between the opening portion 673 of the distal end of the lever and the central flange 605 is optimized.

Other characteristics of the configuration of the unloading transport stacking unit 500 are described below with reference to Figs. 3-5.

In the forming mechanism 550, in order to prevent the part of the banknote having a significantly reduced rigidity from falling into the gaps G2 formed between both inner edges of the opening part 673 of the lever and both outer surfaces of the central flange 605, a ratio of the width W1 of the central flange and the width W3 of the opening part is set.

In addition to the W-shape forming by the forming mechanism 550, the central flange is configured to be wide to appropriately narrow the gaps G2, resulting in an increased rigidity level to the extent that even a crumpled banknote can push the lever upward and improve the stacking efficiency, and the banknote can be discharged in an inverted spatial position.

As an example of the actual device configuration, when the width dimension W1 of the central flange was 6.0 mm and the width dimension W3 of the opening portion 673 of the lever was 9.2 mm, the collapse of a crumpled banknote was effectively prevented, and the banknote deflection prevention effect was sufficiently achieved. According to experiments, the optimal ratio of the width dimension W1 of the central flange to the width dimension W3 of the opening portion was approximately 0.65. In this example, the right and left clearances G2 were 1.6 mm.

[0091] As described above, in the present invention, while the width W3 of the opening portion of the lever is fixed, the width W1 of the central flange is larger than the width of the outer flanges, so that the gaps G2 are set to be correspondingly small, thereby preventing the banknote from falling through them. Accordingly, even a crumpled banknote having a significantly reduced rigidity is pushed upward by the outer circumferential surface of the central flange in order to increase the shape-holding property (rigidity) to enable the lever to rise. In other words, by adjusting the size of the gaps, the support function provided by the width of the outer circumferential surface of the central flange is improved, and a state in which the rigidity of the crumpled banknote exceeds the weight of the lever can be achieved.

When a 20-gram weight 675 is attached to the distal end of the lever, the banknote must lift the lever, which includes this weight. Since the lever shaft 672 is located behind the rotating shaft 552, the banknote can lift the lever by resting on the central flange.

From the above descriptions, a banknote with significantly reduced rigidity, i.e., a crumpled banknote, can be defined as a banknote weakened to such an extent that when the ratio of the width W1 of the central flange to the width W3 of the opening portion of the distal end of the lever is so small as to be below a predetermined value (e.g., about 0.65), a portion of the banknote causes it to fall into the gaps G2 between them. That is, even if the weakening (reduction in rigidity) of the banknote progresses, the rigidity can be sufficiently increased by shaping the banknote into a W-shape, when the weakening is at such a level that it does not cause a portion of the banknote to fall into excessively large gaps G2, and thus, even if the gaps G2 are large, a portion of the banknote does not fall into them. Even when the banknote is weakened to such a degree that a part of it falls into the excessively large gaps G2, the banknote can be discharged when the lever is pushed upward by increasing the rigidity due to the banknote being formed into a W shape, and the effect of supporting the banknote by the central flange, when the ratio of the width W1 of the central flange to the width W3 of the opening portion of the distal end of the lever is set such as to ensure that the gaps G2 are at an optimal value (for example, the ratio is set to about 0.65 or higher).

When a banknote is folded into an M-shape, both ends of the wide banknote are inclined downward and are likely to hang down and strike the folded banknote. Specifically, it's clear that both ends of the banknote, where the short side is the long side, are likely to hang down due to their weight, even though the central portion and both outer sections are gripped by the central flange and pairs of rollers.

If a banknote is shaped like a W, both ends of the short side S2 are inclined upward, and the upper parts P3' are caught by the outer flanges and, accordingly, are likely to hang down less. Since there is a ceiling (frame 660), both ends of S2 hit the ceiling and drop slightly, so the banknote is transported along the ceiling. However, both ends of S2 do not hang down so much that they interfere with the stacked banknotes.

[0092] [Banknote Discharge and Stacking Device: Third Embodiment]

Fig. 16 is a front view of the respective parts of the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 (discharge and stacking transport unit 800) according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 17-20 are lateral vertical sectional views for explaining the configuration of the M2 banknote unloading and stacking device and the operation of unloading and pulling them. Parts similar to those of the unloading transport stacking unit according to the first embodiment are described with the same reference numerals.

The banknote discharging and stacking device M2 according to the third embodiment allows the banknote to be discharged in a state where it tends to curl onto the dispensing tray so that it is discharged in a level manner in cooperation with the stacking wheels 650 and the guide members (guide projecting portions) 710, while the forming mechanism according to the first embodiment is not included in the configuration.

[0093] In the present embodiment, while a banknote having a tendency to curl is discharged in a state where the tendency to curl returns, during discharge onto the dispensing tray, the problem that the banknote will fall out of the dispensing tray or push out an already folded banknote by friction between banknotes can be overcome.

[0094] <<Basic Configuration>>

The M2 banknote unloading and stacking device has the basic configuration described below.

That is, the unloading transport stacking unit 800, which forms the device for unloading and stacking banknotes M2, is a means for unloading banknotes dispensed through one of the circulation units 30 and 40, which receive and store banknotes and which dispense the stored banknotes outward onto a tray for dispensing one by one, and for stacking banknotes, and includes an unloading transport route 510 along which the dispensed banknote is unloaded and transported, an unloading transport mechanism 520, which ensures that the banknote B (hereinafter, "banknote B") is dispensed onto the unloading transport route by a transport force, a last unloading mechanism 810 (hereinafter, "unloading mechanism"), which is located on a downstream portion of the unloading transport route, and which unloads the dispensed banknote onto a dispensing tray, and a dispensing tray 700, onto which the banknotes unloaded from the unloading mechanism, folded into a stack.

[0095] The discharge mechanism 810 includes a rotating shaft (drive shaft) 552, which is located orthogonally to the conveying direction of the dispensed banknote B, and which is rotationally driven in the discharging direction, and last pairs of rollers formed from drive rollers 555 and 600, each of which has an axis attached to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers 556 and 601, each of which forms a clamping portion n1 for conveying the banknote by the corresponding drive roller.

The lever 670 for holding banknotes has a rear part supported around an axis on a lever shaft (parallel to the rotating shaft) 672, which is located upstream from the rotating shaft 552 in the discharge direction, which is made with the possibility of rotation in the direction from top to bottom, wherein the lever for holding banknotes is made with the possibility of allowing the front part to contact the upper surface of the dispensing tray (or the upper surface of an already folded banknote) under the action of its own weight, in the maximum lowered position.

In the process in which the banknote B passes the discharge mechanism 810, the banknote holding lever 670 rotates up and down under the action of the passing banknote, contacting the lower surface of the lever 670.

The laying wheel 650 is located on each of both outer sides of the drive rollers 555 and 600 in the axial direction, and the axis of the laying wheel is attached to the rotating shaft 552.

Guide elements 710 (guide protruding parts) in the form of upwardly directed projections, which are brought into contact with the blades 654 and ensure their rotational movement (passage), while elastically deforming the blades, are provided on the upper surface of the dispensing tray, which impedes the trajectory of movement of the blades.

Since there is no difference between the configuration of the stacking wheels and guide members and the configuration described in the first embodiment, their duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0096] <Unloading transport stacking unit>

The 800 unloading transport stacking unit is explained in detail below.

The discharge transport stacking unit 500 according to the first embodiment has a forming mechanism 550 including drive rollers 555 and 600, tension rollers 556 and 601, and flanges 605, 607 and 609. That is, all banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray are in a state in which the tendency to curl in the long edge direction is eliminated or reduced by the forming mechanism.

In contrast, the unloading transport stacking unit 800 according to the third embodiment includes only an unloading mechanism formed by drive rollers 555 and 660 and tension rollers 556 and 601. Due to the absence of flanges 605, 607, and 609, the unloading mechanism 810 does not have the function of forming the short side of the banknote into a predetermined shape to increase rigidity. Each of the stacking wheels 650 has an axle attached to the rotating shaft 552 of the drive rollers and is located on both sides of the drive rollers in the axial direction.

When a banknote having a tendency to curl upward is discharged from the discharge mechanism 810, the banknote is released in a curled state onto a dispensing tray, as illustrated in Fig. 18.

When the banknote is discharged onto the dispensing tray by the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the tension rollers 556 and 601 (the last pairs of rollers), during the discharge of the banknote, which tends to curl upward, onto the dispensing tray, being pressed by the lever 670, there is a risk that the front downwardly curved end portion will interfere with the rear end portion of the already folded banknote to push out the already folded banknote, or that the banknote will fall out of the distal end of the dispensing tray under the action of its own weight.

[0097] In contrast, in the present embodiment, in conjunction with the guide members provided protrudingly on the dispensing tray and the stacking wheels, at a corresponding location of the banknote immediately after dispensing, in this example, the rear portion of the banknote is gripped to block excessive advancement (banknote return). Therefore, the banknote can be prevented from falling out of the dispensing tray under the effect of its own weight. In addition, the banknotes already stacked are held at the rear portion on the guide members, and their advancement by the successively rotating blades is prevented. Thus, the banknotes are prevented from being pushed out by the next banknote.

According to the present embodiment, in the discharge transport stacking unit 800, including the discharge mechanism 810, having the function of only discharging a banknote onto the dispensing tray without shaping the shape of the short side of the banknote to correct the tendency to curl, the problem that the discharged banknote jumps out and falls out of the dispensing tray or pushes out the already folded banknote, can be overcome only by replacing the existing dispensing tray that does not include the guide members with the dispensing tray that includes the guide members.

[0098] <Pulling work performed by the unloading transport stacking unit>

The banknote pulling operation performed by the discharge conveying stacking unit 800 according to the third embodiment is explained below with reference to Figs. 17-20.

Fig. 17(a)-17(d) are explanatory diagrams (lateral vertical sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying stacking unit 800, illustrating the states from when the front end of the banknote B discharged and conveyed along the discharge conveying route and having a tendency to curl upward rests against the lever, and immediately after the front end of the banknote has passed through the discharge mechanism 810, while the banknote pushes the lever upward.

[0099] Fig. 18(e) and 18(f) are explanatory diagrams (lateral vertical sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying stacking unit 800, illustrating the state immediately before the rear end of the banknote B passes through the discharge mechanism and the state immediately after passing, and Fig. 18(g), 18(h), 19(i)-19(l) and 20(m)-20(o) are explanatory diagrams of the process until the banknote falls onto the dispensing tray and the order of the operation performed by the paddles for pulling the banknote backward.

Since the processing order in Figs. 17(a) to 17(d), 18(e), and 18(f) is the same as the processing order in Figs. 11(a) to 11(d), 12(e), and 12(f), its explanation is simplified.

The processing order in Fig. 18(g), 18(h), 19(i)-19(l), and 20(m)-20(o) is not different from the processing order in Fig. 12(g), 12(h), 13(i)-13(l), and 14(m)-14(o) in the first embodiment, except that the front portion and the rear portion of the discharged banknote are curved downward because the banknote is curled upward. Therefore, redundant explanations are abbreviated and mainly describe the differences. Therefore, the duplicate parts, the explanations of which are omitted, should be understood with reference to the corresponding descriptions in the first embodiment.

[0100] In Fig. 17(a), the banknote B conveyed along the discharge conveying route 510 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the lever 670 and begins to press the lower surface at a position immediately before the clamping portions n1 of the last pairs of rollers. Since the lever shaft 672 is located behind the rotating shaft 552, the front end portion of the banknote is brought into contact with the lever at a position located closer to the rotating shaft, and it begins to push the lever upward. In addition, a sufficiently large distance L3 is provided between the lever shaft and the contact point C, and a large value of the initial angle 6 of the lever is set, close to 180 degrees. Thus, the banknote can begin to push the lever upward with a small force (Fig. 17(b) and 17(c)). Since the front end of the banknote, which has a tendency to bend downward, has high rigidity on the discharge conveying route 510, and the tendency to curl is temporarily corrected similar to the first embodiment, the lever can be pushed upward.

[0101] While the banknote passes the discharge mechanism 810, the banknote passes the clamping portions n1 between the drive roller 555, 600 and the tension roller 555,601.

In Fig. 17(d), the front end of the banknote begins to protrude from clamping portions n1, and the lever is pressed by the banknote to further push it upward. The downward bending tendency returns to the front end of the banknote immediately after it leaves clamping portions n1. However, since the lever can be pushed upward with only a small force for the reasons described above, the banknote can push the lever upward with less force without bending toward it.

In Fig. 18(e), the front portion of the banknote, except for the rear portion clamped by the clamping portions n1 between the drive rollers and the corresponding driven rollers, is twisted downward. However, the lever 670 is designed in such a way that it can be pushed upward with a small force. Accordingly, the banknote can continue to push the lever upward, as illustrated. Although the height position of the lever at this time is not the maximum height in the range of movement of the lever, the banknote pushes the lever upward as high as possible. That is, the banknote is discharged along the lower surface of the lever, which is pushed upward to the illustrated height position, and the front end of the banknote is in contact with the upper surface of the dispensing tray (upper surfaces 705a of the sliding members).

Fig. 18(f) illustrates a state in which the rear end of the banknote B has completely passed through the discharge mechanism 810. Since the released banknote is not formed into a straight shape, unlike the first embodiment, the contact portion with the distal end portion of the lever 670 is pressed downward to deform into a convex shape at this stage, as illustrated in Fig. 18(f). In the case where the stacking wheels and guide members 710 are not provided, since this banknote has inertia, being released in the discharge direction, the banknote tries to be discharged along the lower surface of the lever. Accordingly, the banknote is likely to be brought into contact with an already folded banknote and will push the already folded banknote until it falls out or until it itself falls out of the distal end of the dispensing tray.

[0102] Next, in the steps of Fig. 18(g) and 18(h), the back portion of the banknote that has left the clamping portions n1 of the last pairs of rollers returns to the original shape, that is, curls downward. The front end of the banknote protrudes from the distal end of the dispensing tray in a downwardly curved state. If this state is not corrected, the banknote may fall out of the distal end of the dispensing tray. In particular, in the case where the length of the dispensing tray in the front-back direction is further reduced, the discharged banknote is likely to significantly protrude from the front end edge of the dispensing tray having a shortened distal end and fall when the banknote is discharged onto the dispensing tray while being pressed by the lever.

In the present invention, in order to overcome this problem, the device is configured to pull the banknote backward while blocking the advancement of the banknote in conjunction with the blades 654 of the stacking wheels and the guide members 710 after the rear end portion of the banknote leaves the clamping portions n1, as illustrated in Fig. 18(g) and 18(h).

That is, each of the guide elements 710 in the form of projections is fixedly located in a position corresponding to the movement path of the blades 654 of the corresponding stacking wheel on the upper surface of the dispensing tray, corresponding to the return space 702 provided at the rear of the dispensing tray 700. By returning the banknote B, temporarily unloaded from the dispensing tray into the space 702, the state in which the front end of the banknote protrudes from the distal end edge of the dispensing tray is eliminated by the joint operation of the guide elements and the stacking wheels.

[0103] The arrangement and height of the guide members 710 are configured to ensure that the pulling by the blades is started at a stage when the rear portion of the banknote falling on the dispensing tray is in the air before falling on the upper surfaces 716 or the rear end edges 716a of the guide members, as illustrated in Fig. 18(g) and 18(h). That is, the arrangement and height of the guide members are configured such that the first contact between the falling banknote and the blades occurs at a time when the banknote is in the air (the time shown in Fig. 18(f) or 18(g)).

Due to variations in banknote behavior, the back of a banknote may come into contact with the distal ends of the paddles after it falls onto the upper surfaces of the guide elements, or simultaneously with the fall. However, it has also been confirmed that in this case, the banknote can be moved backward without any problems.

The lengths and positional relationship of the blades 654 are set such that they are always brought into sliding contact with the outer surface of the corresponding guide element 710 during the rotational movement.

[0104] The rotation speed of the stacking wheels, the time intervals of rotation of the blades relative to the discharged banknote and the lengths of the blades (the rotation path of the ends of the blades) are selected such as to ensure that the curved rear part of the banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray is captured by the blades 654 c rotating from above and pulled downwards toward the guide member 710, as illustrated in Fig. 18(g), 18(h), 19(i) and 19(j).

With this configuration, even if the discharged banknote protrudes forward excessively, the blades 654 c can grasp the rear end of the banknote in the air and begin to pull the banknote down and back at an early time when the rear part of the banknote is discharged. In addition, at the moment when the blades 654 c have reached the rear end edges 716a of the guide members, the blades can begin to clamp the rear part of the banknote with the rear end edges, and then pull the entire banknote back, while clamping the banknote between the distal ends of the blades and the curved guide surfaces 720 (Fig. 19(k), 19(1) and 20(m)-20(o)).

Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, by appropriately selecting or setting the time intervals of contact between the paddles and each banknote, in other words, the rotation speed of the paddles and the banknote ejection speed, the operation of forcibly pulling the banknote in the downward and rearward directions can be initiated at the moment when the rear portion of the banknote, which is in the air, comes into contact with the paddles. Subsequently, at the moment when the paddles descend to a position in which they are in contact with the upper surfaces of the guide elements and their rear end edges, the rear portion of the banknote is clamped between the paddles and the guide elements.

Thus, the banknote is reliably pulled back along the curved guide surfaces 720 by the subsequent rotational action of the paddles. Consequently, all banknotes are stacked so that their rear ends are aligned on the dispensing tray, despite the difference in size along the long edge, and their fall out of the distal end of the dispensing tray is prevented.

[0105] In the present embodiment, the banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray is pulled back after the front end portion is temporarily discharged onto the dispensing tray (on the drawers 705), as illustrated in Fig. 18(g) to 20(o). When this phenomenon is observed from the return port side, the banknote operates in such a way as to be temporarily discharged in a state protruding from the front end edge of the dispensing tray, and must be pulled back immediately after that and stop.

Because the curling tendency returns to the banknotes discharged from the discharge mechanism 810, there is a risk that the fall paths or falling times will change. Therefore, the paddles cannot always catch the rear portions of the banknote in mid-air at the same time. The rear portion of the banknote may fall onto the guide elements before the paddles engage it. However, according to the present embodiment, even in this case, the paddles can pull the banknote backward by clamping the rear portion of the banknote with the guide elements.

[0106] More specifically, since the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 has a tendency to curl, the tendency to curl returns at the moment when the banknote passes through the discharge mechanism, the rear end of the banknote curls away from the blades, and the rear part of the banknote may fall on the guide members 710 before coming into contact with the blades. However, also in this case, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the rear part of the banknote is caught by the guide members so that its forward movement is blocked, and is caught by the distal ends of the subsequently lowered blades so as to move backward. As a result, the banknote is prevented from falling out of the dispensing tray.

[0107] In light of the above configurations and functions of the stacking wheels 650, the lever 670, the guide members 710, and the like, the operation of the stacking wheels to pull back the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 in a process in which the lever pushes the banknote downward is further described below.

As illustrated in Fig. 18(g) and 18(h), when the blades 654c rotating downward are brought into contact with the rear portion of the banknote B discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 onto the dispensing tray, while the rear portion of the banknote is still in the air, the blades firmly grip the banknote and begin the work of forcibly pulling the banknote downward and backward in combination with the pressing operation of the lever. That is, since the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 is displaced forward, the banknote tries to move in the air toward the distal end edge of the dispensing tray 700. By bringing into contact with the banknote the blades 654 c, moving downwards relative to the rear part of the banknote located in the air, as illustrated in the drawings, the inertia of the banknote for advancement can be reduced to stopping the movement in the advancement direction, and the banknote can be further directed in the direction (downward and backward) in which the blades 654 c rotate.

When the blades 654 c catch the rear part of the banknote B in the air and then continue to rotate downward, as shown in Fig. 18(g) and 18(h), the blades 654 c press the rear part of the banknote until the rear part is brought into contact with the upper surfaces 716 and the rear end edges 716a of the guide members 710, as illustrated in Fig. 19(i) and 19(j). At this point in time, the rear part of the banknote is in a state of being compressively held between the lower surfaces (high-friction portions 656) of the blades 654 c and the rear end edges 716a. Thus, with further continuation of the rotational movement of the blades, the banknote is moved backward along the curved guide surfaces 720 and the guide surfaces of the rear part 722.

At the moment shown in Fig. 20(o), the paddles 654c are almost separated from the trailing end of the banknote, and the backward movement of the banknote is accordingly stopped. A stop for aligning the trailing ends of the banknotes moved backward can be provided at the end portion of the return space 702, as needed.

[0108] As described above, at earlier time intervals than the fall (contact) of the rear portion of the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 onto the rear end edges 716a, the paddles 654c are brought into contact with the rear portion of the banknote at a position in front of and above the rear end edges 716a, and begin to pull the banknote, returning it downward and backward (in the direction opposite to the banknote discharge direction). In other words, the contact position (the first contact position) C1 between the paddles and the banknote can be set to a more distant position along the rotation path of the paddles. Accordingly, the reverse pulling of the banknote can be started at an early stage, before the banknote is completely discharged onto the dispensing tray, and thus the processing speed of the stacked banknote can be increased.

Furthermore, by providing guide members 710, the rear portion of the banknote can be brought into contact with the rear end edges 716a of the guide members when the rear portion is in a higher position than the upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray. That is, the rear portion of the banknote can engage the rear end edges 716a at earlier time intervals, before the rear portion of the banknote is discharged onto the dispensing tray. Thus, the banknote, which is temporarily discharged onto the dispensing tray in a state protruding from the front end edge of the dispensing tray, can be quickly moved backward and stopped in an optimal position. In particular, in the case of a crumpled banknote, the backward pulling of the banknote sometimes cannot be sufficiently accomplished solely by holding the banknote with the paddles when dispensing the banknote onto the dispensing tray. Accordingly, the point at which the blades come into contact with the banknote is set in the air, and the banknote is pulled out by working together with the guide elements, so that the process of pulling out the crumpled banknote can be reliably completed.

[0109] According to the configuration described above, since the rear ends of all the banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray can be sequentially aligned regardless of the sizes of the banknotes in the long edge direction, a plurality of banknotes stacked on the dispensing tray can be set in an optimal state so that the user can remove the banknotes together, while preventing the banknotes from protruding excessively from the distal end edge of the dispensing tray or from falling out.

There is a strong requirement to make the dispensing tray as short and as small as possible, and this requirement can be met because the rear ends of the discharged banknotes can be aligned with the rear of the dispensing tray.

[0110] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the problem that the front end of the banknote is likely to slide out of the dispensing tray beyond the front end edge under the action of its own weight due to the inertia when released from the dispensing mechanism 550 can be overcome. In addition, since the rotationally continuously moving blades of the stacking wheel hold the rear parts of the already stacked banknotes with the guide members, the problem that the next banknote will push out the already stacked banknotes is also overcome.

[0111] [Brief Description of Configurations, Actions and Effects of the Present Invention]

"First Invention (First and Second Embodiments)" A paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to a first aspect of the first invention is a means for sequentially discharging paper sheets discharged from a circulation unit 30, 40 storing the conveyed paper sheets and discharging the stored paper sheets to the outside, one by one, onto a discharge tray 700 with the short side of the paper sheet at the upper portion, and for stacking the discharged paper sheets, and includes a discharge conveying route 510 along which paper sheets are conveyed to the discharge tray, and a forming mechanism 550 that forms the shape of the short side (the shape of the side extending in the direction of intersection with the conveying direction) of each of the paper sheets conveyed along the discharge conveying route into a predetermined shape (shape for increasing rigidity) along the entire length in the long edge direction, and which unloads the formed paper sheet onto the output tray.

When the forming mechanism 550 operates to form, the upward protruding portions (the curved portions protruding upward) and the downward protruding portions (the curved portions protruding downward) are alternately formed along the short-side direction of the paper sheets, and both end portions S2 of the short sides of each of the paper sheets are inclined upward (protruded obliquely upward).

In a banknote processing device, the demands on the circulation machine are increased. If multiple banknotes must be dispensed, to increase processing speed, it is desirable to configure the paper sheet processing device so that banknotes are dispensed one at a time onto the discharge tray, and so that the user can remove the banknotes after all the banknotes have been stacked.

In traditional machines of this type, which dispense banknotes one at a time, if the user doesn't remove the dispensed banknote, the next banknote is not dispensed. Therefore, dispensing all the banknotes takes a long time. However, even when the dispensed banknote is curled, the problem of hitting an already stacked banknote does not arise. In traditional machines that dispense ten banknotes, the time required for dispensing one banknote is typically 2 seconds, although this depends on the time it takes the user to remove the banknotes.

[0112] On the other hand, when the banknotes are removed together after the banknotes are successfully discharged one by one onto the discharge tray and stacked thereon, the time required per banknote during dispensing of ten banknotes can be reduced to 1.5 seconds, and the banknote discharge speed remains the same as that of conventional devices.

Once the banknotes are successfully stacked, the problem of impact with existing banknotes arises again. However, the issue of impact with existing banknotes is solved by simple characteristics.

That is, the present invention can prevent the occurrence of discharge failures or stacking failures (ejection of previous banknotes, uneven stacking, variations in stopping position, falling, etc.) on the discharge tray due to the curling tendency of the banknote. Furthermore, in addition to the curling tendency, discharge failures or stacking failures caused by deformations such as crumpling or wrinkling of the banknote, or a decrease in rigidity, can be eliminated.

Both ends of the short side of the banknote, S2 and S2, are positioned above the downward protruding portions P2, preventing impact with already stacked banknotes. The possibility of impact can be further reduced by maintaining the height of the upward protruding portions P3 at both ends at a substantially similar position to, or higher than, the upward protruding portion P1 in the center.

[0113] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking apparatus M2 according to the second aspect, the shape of the short side of each of the paper sheets after the paper sheet is formed by the forming mechanism 550 is substantially a bilaterally symmetrical shape.

When forming the short side of a paper sheet after formation by the forming mechanism, it is sufficient for both ends to be raised. However, a bilaterally symmetrical shape is preferable for stability when placing the sheet during unloading onto the unloading tray or after unloading, for ease of handling, and so on.

[0114] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking apparatus M2 according to the third aspect, the shape of the short side of each of the paper sheets after the paper sheet is formed by the forming mechanism 550 is substantially a W shape.

When forming the short side of a paper sheet after formation by a forming mechanism, it is sufficient for both end portions to be raised. However, a substantially W-shaped form, comprising an upwardly projecting portion P1 in the center and downwardly projecting portions P2 on both the right and left sides, is highly practical, as the number of forming mechanism components can be reduced, and the forming mechanism itself can be scaled down.

[0115] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the fourth aspect, the forming mechanism 550 includes at least a rotating shaft 552 which is disposed orthogonally to the conveying direction of the paper sheets and which is rotationally driven in the discharging direction, a central flange 605 which has an axis fixed to the rotating shaft, two pairs of rollers formed by two driving rollers 555 and 600 which are respectively arranged at a predetermined interval on both sides of the central flange in the axial direction and each of which has an axis fixed by the rotating shaft, and driven rollers 556 and 601, each of which forms a clamp portion n1 for conveying the paper sheets by a corresponding one of the driving rollers, and outer flanges 607 and 609 which are respectively disposed on the outer sides of the two driving rollers in the axial direction and each of which has an axle attached to a rotating shaft.

The traditional paper unloading mechanism, which delivers paper sheets to the delivery tray, is formed by pairs of rollers, each comprising a drive roller and a driven roller. The present invention, however, features a configuration in which only three flanges are added to the traditional unloading mechanism. Simplification and downsizing of the configuration can be achieved by reducing the number of components to the bare minimum. While the storage space in cavity E is limited, this configuration allows for a design with ample space.

[0116] The paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the fifth aspect includes a paper sheet holding lever 670 that has a rear portion supported around an axis by a lever shaft 672 located upstream of the rotating shaft 552 in the paper sheet conveying direction and above the discharging conveying route 510 that is configured to rotate in the top-down direction and that has a front portion (a front portion with respect to the lever shaft) projecting on the discharge tray outside the rotating shaft, wherein the paper sheet holding lever includes a configuration for rotating up and down by an action of each of the paper sheets passing under the lever in a process in which the paper sheet passes the forming mechanism, and the paper sheet holding lever is located in an axial position touching the central flange 605, and includes an opening portion 673 at the portion a lever for holding paper sheets touching the central flange to allow rotation in the top-down direction while avoiding the central flange.

The lever shaft is located closer to the rotating shaft 552, and the front section of the lever extends beyond the rotating shaft. Consequently, the lever becomes longer, and the initial angle 6 increases during its descent, allowing the lever to be easily pushed upward during paper insertion.

[0117] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the sixth aspect, a portion of the paper sheet holding lever 670 obstructs the discharging conveyance route when the paper sheet holding lever is lowered.

The location where the paper sheet is brought into contact with the lever and begins to push the lever upward is on the discharge conveying route 510 located upstream of the forming mechanism 550. Since the distance to the lever shaft from the contact portion C between the lever and the front end of the paper sheet can be shortened, the lever can be more easily pushed by the paper sheet.

[0118] The paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the seventh aspect is configured to block the falling of a portion of a paper sheet between both inner edges of the opening portion 673 of the paper sheet holding lever 670 and both outer surfaces of the central flange 605.

In other words, the width of the central flange is designed to block the falling of a portion of the paper sheet into the gaps G2 formed between both inner edges of the opening portion and both outer surfaces of the central flange.

A paper sheet with significantly reduced rigidity (a crumpled paper sheet) may bend without sufficient upward force on the paper-holding lever after it is unloaded from the forming mechanism. This is because the gaps between the central flange and the opening portion of the paper-holding lever are too large, causing a portion of the paper sheet to fall into the gaps to reduce rigidity, reducing the force required to push the paper-holding lever upward.

In the present invention, the falling of a portion of the crumpled paper sheet into the gaps can be prevented by sufficiently increasing the width of the central flange to remove the gaps or reduce the gaps, and the paper sheet can be supported by the outer circumferential surface of the central flange to maintain an inverted spatial position to prevent sagging toward the paper sheet holding lever.

[0119] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking apparatus M2 according to the eighth aspect, the discharging tray 700 includes a base surface 701, projecting portions 703 that are respectively provided to project forward from both end portions of the base surface in the width direction and each of which has an upwardly inclined surface 703a on the upper surface, drawer members (members forming the inclined surface) 705, each of which is configured to allow the front portion to rotate in the top-down direction by having a rear portion supported around an axis in a groove or hole 704 provided on the inner edge portion of each of the projecting portions, and an elastic member that biases the drawer members to an upper protruding position.

Since the drawers are normally extended, they act as a brake for unloading paper sheets. However, protruding drawers can hinder the user's movement when removing stacked paper sheets from the unloading tray. Therefore, the drawers are designed so that the user can return the drawers by pushing them downward.

[0120] A circulation type paper sheet processing device 1 according to a ninth aspect includes an inlet (input/output port) 5 for paper sheets; an input portion 11 that receives and conveys (inputs) paper sheets input from the inlet along a long edge direction of the paper sheets; a circulation unit 30, 40 that receives and stores paper sheets, and that outputs the stored paper sheets to the outside; and any one of the paper sheet discharging and stacking devices M2 described above, wherein the circulation unit includes a circulation drum that stacks and stores paper sheets one by one on an outer circumferential surface by forward rotation, and that outputs the paper sheets to the outer circumferential surface one by one by reverse rotation.

This circulation type paper sheet handling device incorporates all the functions and advantages provided by the M2 paper sheet unloading and stacking device described above.

[0121] <<Second Invention (Third Embodiment)>>

The paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the first aspect of the second invention is a means for discharging paper sheets issued from a circulation unit 30, 40 storing transported paper sheets and discharging the stored paper sheets outwardly one by one onto a discharge tray 700, with the short side of the paper sheet at the top, and for stacking the discharged paper sheets, and includes a discharge transport route 510 along which paper sheets are transported to the discharge tray, a last discharge mechanism 810 located downstream from the discharge transport route, a discharge tray 700 on which paper sheets discharged from the last discharge mechanism are stacked, and a lever 670 for holding paper sheets, which has a rear portion supported around an axis, which is configured to rotate in a top-down direction, and which has a front portion projecting on the discharge tray to hold the paper sheets discharged from the last discharge mechanism.

The last unloading mechanism 810 includes a rotating shaft 552, which is located orthogonally to the direction of transport of paper sheets, and which is rotationally driven in the unloading direction, and a last pair of rollers formed by at least two drive rollers 555 and 600, each of which has an axis attached to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers 556 and 601, each of which forms a clamping part n1 for transporting a paper sheet by a corresponding one of the drive rollers.

[0122] The stacking wheel 650, which has an axis attached to the rotating shaft, includes an outer side of each of the drive rollers in the axial direction. The blades forming each of the stacking wheels include a moving path that must be brought into contact with the banknote discharged from the last discharge mechanism and must push the banknote downward in the process of rotation downwards to the upper surface of the discharge tray, and a guide protruding portion 710 (guide element), which impedes the blades and allows rotational movement (passage) of the blades, while elastically deforming the blades, is provided on the upper surface of the discharge tray, impeding the moving path of the blades. The guide projecting portion includes a first contact portion 716, 716a, which is brought into contact with the rear portion of the paper sheet discharged by the last discharge mechanism (the last pair of rollers) onto the dispensing tray in a position above the upper surface of the dispensing tray (in front of the upper surface of the dispensing tray), and a (curved) guide surface 720, which continues downward (to be curved) from the first contact portion back (to the upstream side) in the dispensing direction.

Since the first contact portion is in a position in which the distal end portion of each of the rotationally moving blades is brought into contact with it, the distal end portion of each blade moves while being elastically deformable and in contact with the first contact portion. To ensure the backward pulling of the banknote during operation with the blades, the shapes and positional relationships of the curved guide surface 720 and the guide surface 722 of the rear portion are also selected so as to cause the distal end portion of each blade to move while being elastically deformed and in contact with it.

[0123] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the second aspect, the movement path of the blades is established and is coordinated with the time intervals of discharging the paper sheets to ensure the first contact between the blades and each paper sheet at the time when the back of the paper sheet is in the air.

By gripping the paper sheet with the blades and starting to pull the paper sheet with the blades at an early time after the rear end of the paper sheet leaves the last discharging mechanism, that is, during the period when the rear end of the paper sheet is in the air, it is possible to reliably prevent the paper sheet from jumping out and falling out from the distal end of the discharging tray.

[0124] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the third aspect, in a process in which the blades 654 are brought into contact with the rear portion of the paper sheet at a position above the first contact portion and then rotationally moved downward and rearward, the portion of the paper sheet in contact with the blades sequentially moves through the first contact portion to the curved guide surface 720 together with the blades.

By coordinating the paper sheet discharge timing with the blade movement timing so that the blades contact the rear of the paper sheet at a higher position than the first contact point, i.e., in the air, the rearward feeding process can begin earlier. As a result, the rear of the paper sheet can contact the first contact point of the guide element early enough to continue the rapid rearward feeding process.

[0125] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking device M2 according to the fourth aspect, the paper sheet holding lever 670 has a rear portion supported around an axis by a lever shaft 672 located upstream of the rotating shaft 552 in the paper sheet conveying direction and above the conveying discharge route 510, which is configured to rotate in the top-down direction, and has a front portion projecting onto the discharge tray outside the rotating shaft.

Since the lever shaft, located at the base end of the paper sheet holding lever, is located upstream of the final discharge mechanism, the rigidity of a sheet of paper that has a tendency to curl, for example, and is transported along the discharge path, is temporarily increased, and the sheet can push the paper sheet holding lever upward with slight force. The stacking wheels and guide protrusions can control the banknotes' falling path and pull them backward by working in conjunction with the paper sheet holding lever.

[0126] In the paper sheet discharging and stacking apparatus M2 according to the fifth aspect, the discharging tray 700 includes a base surface 701, projecting portions 703 that are respectively provided to project forward from both end portions of the base surface in the width direction and each of which has an upwardly inclined surface 703a on the upper surface, drawer members (members forming the inclined surface) 705, each of which is configured to allow the front portion to rotate in the top-down direction by having a rear portion supported around an axis in a groove or hole 704 provided on the inner edge portion of each of the projecting portions, and an elastic member that biases the drawer members to an upper protruding position.

Since the drawers are normally extended, they act as a brake for unloading paper sheets. However, protruding drawers can hinder the user's movement when removing stacked paper sheets from the unloading tray. Therefore, the drawers are designed so that the user can return the drawers by pushing them downward.

[0127] A circulation type paper sheet processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect includes an inlet (input/output port) 5 for paper sheets; an input portion 11 that receives and conveys (inputs) paper sheets input from the inlet along a long edge direction of the paper sheets; a circulation unit 30, 40 that receives and stores paper sheets, and that outputs the stored paper sheets to the outside; and any one of the paper sheet discharging and stacking devices M2 described above, wherein the circulation unit includes a circulation drum that stacks and stores paper sheets one by one on an outer circumferential surface by forward rotation, and that outputs the paper sheets on the outer circumferential surface one by one by reverse rotation.

This circulation type paper sheet handling device incorporates all the functions and advantages provided by the M2 paper sheet unloading and stacking device described above.

List of reference positions

[0128] 1... banknote processing device, 3... housing, M... deposit/dispense processing unit, M1... first unit, M2... second unit (paper sheet unloading and stacking device, joint dispensing unit), 5... inlet/outlet opening (inlet port), 7... dispensing port (discharge port), B... banknote to be dispensed, P1, P2, P3... projecting portion, 9a... deposit banknote conveyance route, 9b... banknote storage conveyance route, 9c... housing-integrated conveyance route, 11... joint deposit unit (insertion unit), 15... recognition unit, 30, 40... circulation type banknote storage unit (circulation unit), 31, 35, 41, 45... circulation drum, 50... collection container, 60... housing, 61... first distribution unit, 65... second distribution block, 65a... distribution part, 100... circulation block, 105, 110... reel, 106a... guide roller, 111a... guide roller, 200... circulation block, 310... flap, 500... unloading transport stacking block, 510... unloading transport route, 510a... transport guide, 512a... roller, 514... flap, 517... transport roller, 520... unloading transport mechanism, 550... forming mechanism, 552... rotating shaft, 555, 600... drive roller, 556, 601... tension roller, 562... base part, 580... tracking sensor, 605... central flange, 607, 609... outer flange, 650… stacking wheel, 652… base portion, 654… blade, 656… high-friction section, 656a… concave portion, 656b… convex portion, 660… frame, 670… lever, 670a… branched portion, 672… lever shaft, 673… opening portion, 675… weight member, 700… dispensing tray (discharge tray), 701… base surface (first upper surface), 702… space, 703… projecting portion, 703a… inclined surface (second upper surface), 704… groove (hole), 705… extending member (inclined surface forming member), 705a… upper surface, 710… guide member (guide projecting portion), 715… front projecting part, 716… upper surface, 716a… rear end edge, 720… curved guide surface, 722… guide surface of rear part, 800… unloading transport stacking unit, 810… last unloading mechanism, 1000… control unit.

Claims (15)

1. A paper sheet unloading and stacking device that unloads paper sheets discharged from a circulation unit storing transported paper sheets and discharges the stored paper sheets outward one by one onto a discharge tray with the short side of the paper sheet at the top, and that stacks the discharged paper sheets, comprising: a discharge transport route along which paper sheets are transported to a discharge tray; a last discharge mechanism located downstream of the discharge transport route; a discharge tray onto which paper sheets discharged from the last discharge mechanism are stacked; and a paper sheet holding arm that has a rear portion supported around an axis, that is rotatable in a top-down direction, and that has a front portion projecting onto the dispensing tray to hold paper sheets discharged from the last discharge mechanism, in which the last unloading mechanism includes a rotating shaft, which is located orthogonally to the direction of transport of the paper sheets, and which is rotationally driven in the unloading direction, and a last pair of rollers, formed by at least two drive rollers, each of which has an axis attached to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers, each of which forms a clamping part for transporting a paper sheet by a corresponding one of the drive rollers, a laying wheel which has an axle attached to a rotating shaft includes the outer side of each of the drive rollers in the axial direction, the blades forming each of the stacking wheels include a travel path that is to be brought into contact with the paper sheet being discharged from the last discharge mechanism and is to push the paper sheet downwards in the process of rotating downwards towards the upper surface of the discharge tray, and a guide protruding part that impedes the blades and enables rotational movement of the blades while elastically deforming the blades is provided on the discharge tray, and the guide protruding part includes a first contact part that is brought into contact with the rear part of the paper sheet discharged by the last discharge mechanism onto the discharge tray in a position above the upper surface of the discharge tray, and a guide surface that extends downward from the first contact part back in the discharge direction. 2. A device for unloading and stacking paper sheets according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the trajectory of the blades is established and coordinated with the time intervals for unloading the paper sheets to ensure the first contact between the blades and each paper sheet at the moment in time when the rear part of the paper sheet is in the air. 3. A device for discharging and stacking paper sheets according to claim 2, characterized in that in the process in which the blades are brought into contact with the rear portion of the paper sheet in a position above the first contact portion and then rotationally moved downward and backward, the portion of the paper sheet in contact with the blades is successively moved through the first contact portion to the guide surface together with the blades. 4. A device for unloading and stacking paper sheets according to paragraphs 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the lever for holding the paper sheets has a rear part supported around the axis by a lever shaft located upstream from the rotating shaft in the direction of transporting the paper sheets and above the unloading transport route, which is designed to rotate in the direction from top to bottom, and has a front section protruding onto the unloading tray beyond the rotating shaft. 5. The device for discharging and stacking paper sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharging tray includes a base surface, inclined projecting portions that are respectively provided to project forward from both end portions of the base surface in the width direction, and each of which has an upwardly inclined surface on the upper surface, retractable members, each of which is configured to allow the front portion to rotate in the top-down direction due to the presence of a rear portion supported around an axis in a groove or hole provided on the inner edge portion of each of the inclined projecting portions, and an elastic member that biases the retractable members to an upper projecting position. 6. A device for processing paper sheets of a circulation type, comprising: paper sheet input hole; an input part that receives and transports paper sheets introduced from the input opening along the direction of the long edge of the paper sheets; a circulation unit that receives and stores paper sheets and that discharges the stored paper sheets to the outside; and a device for discharging and stacking paper sheets according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the circulation unit includes a circulation drum that stacks and stores paper sheets one by one on the outer circumferential surface by forward rotation, and that delivers paper sheets one by one on the outer circumferential surface by reverse rotation.