EP2778105B1 - Apparatus and method for filling a transport container with vouchers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for filling a transport container with notes of value.

Such a device comprises a supply unit for feeding the notes of value, a stacking unit for stacking the supplied notes of value, a receiving unit for receiving a transport container, and a displacement unit for conveying the stacked notes of value into the transport container. The displacement unit comprises a conveying element, which, when conveying the notes of value into the transport container, lies flat against the value-added stack to be conveyed and is arranged essentially transversely to an elongate pushing element, the pushing element being connected to the conveying element at a first end. Furthermore, the device comprises a closure unit for closing the filled transport container. Notes of value are sheet-shaped value documents, in particular banknotes, checks, coupons, vouchers or the like.

Such a device is used, for example, in ATMs, in particular automatic payment machines, and automatic cash deposits, into which banknotes, in particular banknotes, are deposited. The entered banknotes are unsorted or stacked sorted according to at least one criterion and then stored in transport containers. After filling with the notes of value, the transport containers are preferably closed audit-proof. The sealed transport containers will be Usually taken from a secure transport company the ATM or safe deposit.

From the DE 10 2009 015 047 A1 The same applicant is known a device for feeding notes in a flexible transport container. The supplied notes of value are stacked in a stacking unit, conveyed with a displacement unit in a transport container and then closed.

Continue to describe the documents WO 2009/138497 A1 . WO 02/19289 A2 . DE 10 2009 053 155 A1 and DE 10 2011 000 790 A1 in each case a device to which notes of value can be fed. These are stacked and fed to a transport container.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for filling a transport container with notes of value, which is simple and compact and easy to handle and with the help of notes of value are properly and reliably stackable in the respective transport container. It is another object of the invention to provide a corresponding working method.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the notes of value are introduced by the conveyor unit in stacks of banknotes in the transport container, that the notes of value during feeding in the inlet region, which is formed by a movable frame described below, located in the container cross-section. The displacement unit comprises a conveying element which, when conveying the notes of value, rests flat against the note of value of the note stack which is last supplied to the transport container in the respective filling step. In this case, the displacement unit promotes the value note stack at least so far in the transport container, that between a container opening of the transport container and the value attached to the delivery element a preset minimum distance is available. The conveying of the value note stack is understood as meaning both conveying a value note stack generated outside the transport container by means of the stacking unit into the transport container and conveying a value note stack already located inside the transport container. The value note stack is thus conveyed into the transport container or it is in a further transport. The conveying of the value note stack thus takes place in the stacking direction, ie in that direction in which the dimension of the value note stack increases when feeding in further notes of value by the stacking unit.

The displacement unit comprises an elongated pusher element which is connected at its first end to the conveyor element and is driven at its first end opposite the second end by mechanical means. In a first operating state, in which notes of value are conveyed into the transport container, the conveying element lies with a contact surface on the surface of the value-added stack to be conveyed. The dimensions of the contact surfaces are correct substantially coincident with the dimensions of the largest device deliverable banknote.

After conveying the notes of value in the transport container, the displacement unit is retrieved from the transport container. To prevent tilting or leaving the transport container of the bank notes located near the container opening notes, the device comprises a holding unit. This holding unit holds the banknotes transported in the transport container in the orientation and the position they have after being fed into the transport container. In particular, the retaining element prevents overturning or movement of the notes of value opposite to the feed direction even after retrieving the displacement unit from the transport container.

In the entry region of the transport container of the movable frame is arranged. The frame comprises two stationary, oppositely arranged first frame members and two second frame members. The second frame elements are arranged movably relative to one another and are guided by the first frame elements. When moving the second frame members, a frame opening is fully opened or partially or completely closed.

As already described above, in the first operating state, the conveying element lies flat on the value-note stack to be conveyed, thereby preventing tilting of the notes of value of the value-note stack. In the second operating state, in which the displacement unit is retrieved after the last filling step before closing the transport container from this, the conveying element takes a second position a, in which it is arranged substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the thrust element. In the second operating state, the surface of the displacement unit oriented toward the container cross-section is significantly smaller than the surface of the notes of value, so that the displacement unit can be brought back through the partially closed frame opening. As a result of the partially closed frame opening, falling out or tilting of at least part of the notes of value from the transport container is effectively prevented, even if the last-added value note stack is stored at a preset minimum distance other than the previous filling steps.

Preferably, the conveyor element comprises at least two individual elements. In the first operating state, both individual elements abut on the value note stack, wherein each individual element has a partial conveying surface and all partial conveying surfaces together form the conveying surface. The individual elements are movable relative to each other and change their relative position to each other when changing between the first and the second operating state of the displacement unit. This allows a particularly simple construction of the displacement unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the individual elements, these are designed so that in the second operating state of the displacement unit, the partial conveying surfaces of adjacently arranged individual elements are arranged opposite one another.

In an advantageous embodiment of the displacement unit, the pushing element comprises at least two longitudinal elements. The longitudinal elements are movably connected to each other at the second end of the thrust element, arranged spread in a first position in the first operating state of the displacement unit and enclose a first angle at the second end of the thrust element. In the second operating state of the displacement unit, the longitudinal elements are arranged in a second position and enclose at the second end a second angle, which is smaller than the first angle. The thrust element is constructed so that the mechanical means on at least one of the longitudinal elements apply the force by which the longitudinal elements are brought from the first to the second position.

It has proven particularly advantageous if the conveying element comprises at least three individual elements, and at least one conveying element is arranged at the first end of the pushing element in the space between the longitudinal elements. In this embodiment, an optimum for the conflicting demands on a few moving mechanical parts in the displacement unit and the largest possible reduction in parallel to the container cross-section oriented surface of the displacement unit is achieved in the second operating state.

The closure unit preferably comprises the mechanical means which brings the displacement unit from the first to the second operating state. As a result, the device can be constructed particularly simply.

Preferably, the transport container in each case a succession of filling steps, a value note stack is supplied, each comprising at least one note of value.

In this case, the topmost banknote of the value-added stack supplied in the respective filling step is deposited by the displacement unit at a position which is the same for each filling step, as a result of which the value-note stack in the transport container moves the bottom of the transport container ever deeper into a receiving unit for receiving the transport container. The closure unit closes the transport container only after the supply of all to the transport container to be supplied value note stack.

Preferably, the transport container made of slack material, such as film material. A transport container made of this material, in the manner of a plastic bag, adapts particularly well to the value-added stack located in it and can be closed in a revision-proof manner by simple measures, for example welding or gluing.

It is advantageous if, in the final filling step, ie the last conveying of a bill of exchange into the transport container before closing the transport container, the value stack supplied in this filling step can be advanced to a location such that the closure unit can close the transport container easily and securely.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for filling a transport container is specified. The technical advantages result from the above and below described operation of the device.

Figur 1

eine schematische geschnittene Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Transportbehälters mit Wertscheinen,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Verschiebeeinheit nach Figur 1,

Figur 3

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung einer Verschiebeeinheit nach Figur 2,

Figur 4

eine Verschiebeeinheit nach den Figuren 2 und 3 im zweiten Betriebszustand,

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines beweglichen Rahmens im geöffneten Zustand,

Figur 6

eine schematische Darstellung des Rahmens nach Figur 5 im teilweise geschlossenen Zustand, und

Figur 7

eine schematische Darstellung des Rahmens nach den Figuren 5 und 6 im geschlossenen Zustand.

The invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the figures. Show:

FIG. 1

a schematic sectional view of an apparatus for filling a transport container with bank notes,

FIG. 2

a perspective view of a displacement unit according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a further perspective view of a sliding unit according to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4

a displacement unit after the Figures 2 and 3 in the second operating state,

FIG. 5

a schematic representation of a movable frame in the open state,

FIG. 6

a schematic representation of the frame FIG. 5 in the partially closed state, and

FIG. 7

a schematic representation of the frame according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 in the closed state.

The present invention is connected to a device as shown in DE 10 2009 015 047 A1 the same applicant is known. FIG. 1 describes a schematic sectional view of a device 10 for filling a transport container 12 with notes of value. The illustrated transport container 12 is a thin-walled transport container of flexible material, preferably of plastic film and / or fabric material. The transport container 12 is rotated with the inside turned outward via a movable frame 16 (in the FIGS. 5 to 7 this frame 16 is shown schematically) inverted. When filling the transport container 12 with notes of value the notes of value are conveyed against the bottom of the transport container 12 or against the deposited already in the transport container 12 notes of value, whereby the bottom of the transport container 12 pushed deeper into the frame 16 and turned when retightening the transport container 12 outwardly Inside turned back inside. A container opening of the transport container 12, through which the notes of value are supplied to the transport container 12, is in particular rectangular and at least as large as the largest to be included in the transport container 12 banknote. In this case, the container opening is limited by the area in which the inside turned outward of the transport container 12 is turned back around the frame 16 inside.

The apparatus 10 comprises a supply unit 100 for feeding the notes of value, a stacking unit 200 for storing the notes of value, a receiving unit 400 for receiving the transport container 12, a holding unit 500 for holding the notes of value in the transport container 12, a closing unit 600 for closing the transport container 12, a Shift unit 700 (in FIG. 1 drawn only schematically as a block; in the further figures, the displacement unit 700 is shown in detail) and a frame 14. The frame 14 essentially serves for mechanical stability of the device 10.

With the help of the feed unit 100, the notes of value to be deposited in the transport container 12 are fed to the stacking unit 200, which stacks the notes of value in the form of an ordered value note stack. The feed unit 100, the notes of value in the direction of the arrow P1 and / or counter to this direction can be fed. The feed unit 100 includes a switch (not shown), through which the notes of value to be supplied to the transport container 12 are branched off from a transport path and fed to the stacking unit 200 in the direction of the arrow P2. Structure and function of the feed unit 100, the stacking unit 200 and the receiving unit 400 are known to those skilled in the art, for example from the document DE 10 2009 015 047 A1 of the same Applicant, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification.

The displacement unit 700 conveys the value-added stack generated by the stacking unit 200 into the transport container 12. Construction and function of the displacement unit 700 are described below in connection with FIGS FIGS. 2 to 5 described.

After conveying the value note stack into the transport container 12, the displacement unit 700 is retrieved from the transport container 12. The value-added stack conveyed into the transport container 12 is held by the holding unit 500 approximately in the position in which it was conveyed into the transport container 12. In particular, will an overturning of individual banknotes of the value note stack or their falling out of the transport container 12 against the feed direction prevented. This ensures that the banknotes stored in the transport container 12 remain in the transport container 12 even after retrieving the displacement unit 700 in the form of a banknote stack. If all banknotes to be conveyed into the transport container 12 are in the transport container 12, then this is closed by the closure unit 600. Structure and function of the holding unit 500 and the closure unit 600 are those skilled in the art, for example, from the above-mentioned document DE 10 2009 015 047 A1 the applicant known. In particular, the closure unit 600 includes the movable frame 16.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a displacement unit 700 after FIG. 1 , The shifting unit 700 comprises a conveying element 710 for conveying the stacked notes of value into the transport container 12 and a pushing element 730 which is connected at its first end 732 to the conveying element 710 and at its second end 734 is in operative connection with mechanical means (not shown). In the first operating state of the displacement unit 700, the pushing element 730 pushes the conveying element 710 into the transport container 12 and in the second operating state of the displacement unit 700, the pushing element 730 brings the conveying element 710 back out of the transport container 12.

In the illustrated first operating state of the displacement unit 700, the conveying element 710 is arranged substantially transversely to the pushing element 730 and comprises a first individual element 712, a second individual element 714 and a third individual element 716. The individual elements 712 to 716 are movable relative to each other. For this purpose, the first individual element 712 and the second individual element 714 are arranged on a first axis 726, while a second axis 728 is provided for the third individual element 716.

The conveying element 710 forms a conveying surface 718 on its side facing the value stack to be conveyed. The conveying surface 718 is in the first operating state of the value to be conveyed stack and promotes this preferably by moving into the transport container 12. Here, the conveying surface 718 is the part of the displacement unit 700, which is in contact with the value stack to be conveyed. The conveying surface 718 comprises a first partial conveying surface 720 on the first individual element 712, a second partial conveying surface 722 on the second individual element 714 and a third partial conveying surface 724 on the third individual element 716.

The pusher 730 includes a first longitudinal member 736 and a second longitudinal member 738 that are movably coupled together at the second end 734 of the pusher member 730. I'm in the FIG. 2 shown first operating state of the displacement unit 700, the longitudinal elements 736, 738 spread and include at the second end 734 of the thrust element 730 a first angle. At the first end 732 of the pusher element 730, the first longitudinal element 736 is connected to the first axis 726 in such a way that the first individual element 712 and the second individual element 714 are each arranged to be movable relative to the first longitudinal element 736. The second longitudinal member 738 is so connected to the second axis 728 at the first end 732 of the pusher member 730, the third single element 716 is movable relative to the second longitudinal element 738.

FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of the displacement unit 700 after FIG. 2 , A third axis 740 movably interconnects the first longitudinal member 736 and the second longitudinal member 738 at the second end 734 of the pusher member 730. Mechanical means, not shown, are provided at the first end 732 of the thrust element 730, such that a relative movement of the longitudinal elements 736, 738 relative to each other causes a relative movement of the individual elements 712 to 716 relative to one another. The relative movement of the longitudinal elements 736, 738 relative to one another transfers the displacement unit 700 from the first operating state into a second operating state. It is advantageous if the relative movement of the longitudinal elements 736, 738 to each other is triggered by the closure unit 600 presses on the longitudinal elements 736, 738 and thereby brings the longitudinal elements 736, 738 from the spread position in a further, less splayed position.

FIG. 4 shows the shifting unit 700 after the Figures 2 and 3 in the second operating state. The longitudinal members 736, 738 are in a further position in which the angle included by the longitudinal members 736, 738 at the second end 734 of the pusher 730 is less than the angle which the longitudinal members 736, 738 enclose in the first operating condition. Im in FIG. 4 shown second operating state, the displacement unit 700 is retrieved from the transport container 12 through the partially closed frame 16. The individual elements 712 to 716 are arranged such that the partial conveying surfaces 720 to 724 approximately in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the longitudinal elements 736, 738verlaufen. The first partial conveying surface 720 and the second partial conveying surface 722 are arranged opposite one another. The third partial conveying surface 724 of the third individual element 716 is aligned with the second individual element 714. In the second operating state of the displacement unit 700, its cross section in the direction of the container cross section of the transport container 12 is significantly reduced in comparison to the first operating state. Thus, when closing the transport container 12, the closure unit 600 partially close the frame 16 and thereby reduce the container opening of the transport container 12 so far that even after retrieving the displacement unit 700 from the transport container 12 no notes of value in the transport container 12 tilt or fall out of the transport container 12 can.

The FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 each show a schematic representation of the movable frame 16, wherein FIG. 5 the open state, FIG. 6 the partially closed state and FIG. 7 shows the closed state. The frame 16 includes two opposing fixed first frame members 744, 746. Further, the frame 16 includes two second frame members 748, 750 that are movable relative to each other and are guided by the first frame members 744, 746. A movement of the second frame elements 748, 750 changes the size of a frame opening 742 spanned by the frame 16.

Im in FIG. 5 As shown, the frame 16 is fully opened and the frame opening 742 reaches its maximum size larger than the size of the largest one of the transport containers 12 is deliverable note. In this state, the notes of value to be supplied to the transport container 12 pass through the frame 16. When the transport container 12 is closed, the frame 16 first partially closes as in FIG FIG. 6 shown before the displacement unit 700 is retrieved from the transport container. By closing the frame 16, the displacement unit 700 is brought into its second operating state by the second frame elements 748, 750 press on the longitudinal elements 736, 738. As a result, the individual elements 712 to 716 are aligned as in connection with FIG FIG. 4 described so that the displacement unit 700 through the reduced frame opening 742 fits. Subsequently, the movable frame 16 is completely closed as in FIG. 7 represented and then the transport container 12 can be closed by the locking unit 600 audit-proof.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

transport container

14

frame

16

frame

100

feed

200

stacker

400

recording unit

500

holding unit

600

shutter unit

700

displacement unit

710

impeller

712, 714, 716

Single element

718

conveying surface

720, 722, 724

Part conveying surface

726, 728, 740

axis

730

push element

732, 734

The End

736, 738

longitudinal member

742

frame opening

744, 746

first frame elements

748, 750

second frame elements

Claims (10)

1. A device (10) for filling a transport container (12) with notes of value,
   with a feeding unit (100) for feeding the notes of value,
   a stacking unit (200) for stacking the notes of value,
   a receiving unit (400) for receiving the transport container (12) made of flexible material,
   a displacement unit (700) for conveying the stacked notes of value into the transport container (12),
   wherein in a first operating state the displacement unit (700) conveys the stacked notes of value with a conveying surface (718) bearing against the value note stack to be conveyed into the transport container (12),
   and with a closing unit (600) for closing the transport container (12) after its filling,
   wherein the closing unit (600) has a movable frame (16) surrounding the transport container (12) and having a frame opening (742), which frame is fully opened during filling and is closed for closing,
   characterized in that
   at the beginning of the closing operation, the frame (16) is only partially closed,
   and that the displacement unit (700) assumes a second operating state in which its cross-sectional area is reduced so far that in case of a return movement it fits through the partially closed frame (16).
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement unit (700) comprises a conveying element (710) that defines the conveying surface (718), that in the first operating state the conveying element (710) is arranged substantially transversely to a longitudinal push element (730) which, at a first end (732), is connected to the conveying element (710), and wherein the conveying element (710) is folded in the second operating state of the closing unit (600) such that its conveying surface substantially extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the push element (730).
3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveying element (710) comprises at least two individual elements (712 to 716) with one partial conveying surface (720 to 724) each, wherein in the first operating state all partial conveying surfaces (720 to 724) together form the conveying surface (718).
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that in the second operating state at least two partial conveying surfaces (720 to 724) of adjacent individual elements (712 to 716) are pivoted toward each other.
5. The device according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the push element (730) comprises at least two longitudinal elements (736, 738), the longitudinal elements (736, 738) are pivotally connected to each other at a second end (734) of the push element (730) that is opposite to the first end (732), and in the first operating state are spread away from each other and in the second operating state are brought together in order to reduce the cross-sectional surface of the displacement unit (700).
6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the conveying element (710) comprises at least three individual elements (712 to 716), and at the first end (732) of the push element (730) in the space between the longitudinal elements (736, 738) at least one individual element (714) is arranged.
7. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame of the closing unit (600) brings the displacement unit (700) from the first into the second operating state when it is partially closed.
8. A method for filling a transport container (12) made of flexible material with notes of value,
   in which a feeding unit (100) feeds the notes of value,
   a stacking unit (200) stacks the notes of value to value note stacks in front of an opening of the transport container (12) received in a receiving unit (400),
   a displacement unit (700) which conveys the value note stacks in a first operating state into the transport container (12) in that it bears against the value note stack with a conveying surface (718),
   and in which the transport container (12), after its filling, is closed with a closing unit (600),
   wherein the closing unit (600) has a movable frame (16) surrounding the transport container (12) and having a frame opening (742), which frame is fully opened during filling and is closed for closing,
   characterized in that
   at the beginning of the closing operation the frame (16) is only partially closed,
   and that the displacement unit (700) assumes a second operating state in which it reduces its cross-sectional surface so far that it fits through the partially closed frame (16) in case of a return movement.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the displacement unit (700) comprises a conveying element (710),
   the conveying element (710) comprises at least two individual elements (712 to 716), wherein each of the individual elements (712 to 716) has a partial conveying surface (720 to 724) and all partial conveying surfaces (720 to 724) together form the conveying surface (718), and that for reaching the second operating state at least two partial conveying surfaces (720 to 724) of adjacent individual elements (712 to 716) are pivoted to each other.
10. The method according to one of the claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the frame (16) of the closing unit (600) brings the displacement unit (700) from the first into the second operating state when it is partially closed.

Images