Abstract: Means for superposing a bundle of value sheets which have been misfed from a value sheet store is disclosed. Also disclosed is a value sheet handler which includes a first value sheet store for receiving value sheets from, and dispensing value sheets to, a user and a second value sheet store where the second value sheet store provides value sheets to resupply the first value sheet store. The handler may include means for detecting a misfeed from the second value sheet store and a bundle of misfed value sheets may be stored in a third store after superposition of the bundle, where it includes overlapping value sheets.

Abstract: A store for storing value sheets such as banknotes in a stack and for dispensing the value notes from the stack. When more than a single value sheet is dispensed from the stack, the store returns all but one of the value sheets to the stack while moving the stack to reduce friction between the returning value sheet and the topmost value sheet of the stack. Means for securing the stack are also provided: a support for the stack is anchored and/or extra pressure is applied to the stack. The store includes means for indicating when the stack contains more than a predetermined number of value sheets and means for preventing securing of the store when the predetermined number of value sheets is exceeded. A value sheet store with part of a sidewall integrally formed with the lid. A value sheet store which includes a lid attached to a housing by a hinge located on an edge of the housing. Apparatus and a method for determining the height of a stack of value sheets.

Abstract: A store for storing value sheets such as banknotes in a stack and for dispensing the value notes from the stack. When more than a single value sheet is dispensed from the stack, the store returns all but one of the value sheets to the stack while moving the stack to reduce friction between the returning value sheet and the topmost value sheet of the stack. Means for securing the stack are also provided: a support for the stack is anchored and/or extra pressure is applied to the stack. The store includes means for indicating when the stack contains more than a predetermined number of value sheets and means for preventing securing of the store when the predetermined number of value sheets is exceeded. A value sheet store with part of a sidewall integrally formed with the lid. A value sheet store which includes a lid attached to a housing by a hinge located on an edge of the housing. Apparatus and a method for determining the height of a stack of value sheets.

Abstract: A store for storing value sheets such as banknotes in a stack and for dispensing the value notes from the stack. When more than a single value sheet is dispensed from the stack, the store returns all but one of the value sheets to the stack while moving the stack to reduce friction between the returning value sheet and the topmost value sheet of the stack. Means for securing the stack are also provided: a support for the stack is anchored and/or extra pressure is applied to the stack. The store includes means for indicating when the stack contains more than a predetermined number of value sheets and means for preventing securing of the store when the predetermined number of value sheets is exceeded. A value sheet store with part of a sidewall integrally formed with the lid. A value sheet store which includes a lid attached to a housing by a hinge located on an edge of the housing. Apparatus and a method for determining the height of a stack of value sheets.

Abstract: A banknote conveyor which includes moveable means for transporting a banknote, the means engaging frictionally with the banknote at at least three points so that the force driving the banknote is dependent on the rigidity of the note. The banknote can further swivel about one of the points to align the note with a desired path. Also provided is a means for limiting the movement of the banknote if the force required to convey the banknote exceeds a predetermined limit and means for preventing the insertion of banknotes or other foreign objects into the conveyor when not in use.

Abstract: Means for superposing a bundle of value sheets which have been misfed from a value sheet store is disclosed. Also disclosed is a value sheet handler which includes a first value sheet store for receiving value sheets from, and dispensing value sheets to, a user and a second value sheet store where the second value sheet store provides value sheets to resupply the first value sheet store. The handler may include means for detecting a misfeed from the second value sheet store and a bundle of misfed value sheets may be stored in a third store after superposition of the bundle, where it includes overlapping value sheets.

Abstract: A store for storing value sheets such as banknotes in a stack and for dispensing the value notes from the stack. When more than a single value sheet is dispensed from the stack, the store returns all but one of the value sheets to the stack while moving the stack to reduce friction between the returning value sheet and the topmost value sheet of the stack. Means for securing the stack are also provided: a support for the stack is anchored and/or extra pressure is applied to the stack. The store includes means for indicating when the stack contains more than a predetermined number of value sheets and means for preventing securing of the store when the predetermined number of value sheets is exceeded. A value sheet store with part of a sidewall integrally formed with the lid. A value sheet store which includes a lid attached to a housing by a hinge located on an edge of the housing. Apparatus and a method for determining the height of a stack of value sheets.

Abstract: A cassette for storing bills is described. The cassette includes a shutter, a link which engages the shutter; and a helicoidal drive shaft which engages the link. As the cassette is inserted or removed from a chassis, an actuator fixed to the chassis actuates the drive shaft such that the shutter opens or closes. In some embodiments, the cassette may prevent persons without proper authorization from accessing bills inside the cassette.

Abstract: A value sheet handling apparatus comprises an actuating mechanism for exerting pressure onto a value sheet so as to move the value sheet, and further comprises detecting means to detect movement of the value sheet with respect to the actuating mechanism, wherein if the detecting means ascertains that the value sheet has not been moved by the actuating mechanism the pressure exerted Onto die flexible media is increased until motion of the value sheet is detected. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure is varied in dependence on the type of the value sheet. The value sheet is dispensed from a stack by buckling the sheet, the rest of the stack being gripped in the area exposed by the buckling of the sheet.

Abstract: A banknote conveyor which includes moveable means for transporting a banknote, the means engaging frictionally with the banknote at at least three points so that the force driving the banknote is dependent on the rigidity of the note. The banknote can further swivel about one of the points to align the note with a desired path. Also provided is a means for limiting the movement of the banknote if the force required to convey the banknote exceeds a predetermined limit and means for preventing the insertion of banknotes or other foreign objects into the conveyor when not in use.

Abstract: In a banknote store, banknotes are stacked such that alternate notes have their ends protruding from one end of the stack, with the intervening notes protruding from the opposite end. The topmost banknote can be dispensed individually by gripping the protruding end of the underlying banknote. A stack may be gripped at one end and/or along its edges while a new banknote is added to the store so that the new banknote does not shift the topmost banknote in the stack.

Abstract: A banknote store comprises a rotatable structure such as a drum which has a number of banknote storage regions arranged around its periphery. Each stores a stack of banknotes, the stacks growing inwardly as banknotes are added. The drum can be rotated to bring each storage region into proximity to means for delivering banknotes to and/or retrieving banknotes from the store.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing flexible media such as cut sheets (1) from a stack has a rotatable separating member (4) which engages and reverse buckles one end of the top sheet (2) so that that end is lifted away from the stack and positioned between transport rollers (9, 10). The transport rollers (9, 10) are driven independently from the separating member (4) so that multiple sheets may be separated from the stack before being transported. The frictional engagement between the separating member (4) and the stack varies as the separating member rotates, so that only one sheet is separated with each rotation. The center of the top sheet (2) is held against the stack by a holding member (3) so that the top sheet buckles only over part of its length.

Abstract: Value carriers are validated according to their suitability for recirculation and routed to a two-way store (16) if suitable or to an escrow (14) if not. The two-way store (16) carries value carriers accepted during previous transactions and dispenses the value carriers it received during the current transaction if the transaction is cancelled. In one embodiment, the escrow (16a, 16b) is another two-way store capable of storing value carriers received during previous transactions, thus removing the need for a dedicated escrow. Moreover, the selection of which two-way store is to act as an escrow may vary from one transaction to the next.

Abstract: A value sheet handling apparatus comprises an actuating mechanism for exerting pressure onto a value sheet so as to move the value sheet, and further comprises detecting means to detect movement of the value sheet with respect to the actuating mechanism, wherein if the detecting means ascertains that the value sheet has not been moved by the actuating mechanism the pressure exerted onto the flexible media is increased until motion of the value sheet is detected. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure is varied in dependence on the type of the value sheet. The value sheet is dispensed from a stack by buckling the sheet, the rest of the stack being gripped in the area exposed by the buckling of the sheet.

Abstract: In a banknote store, banknotes are stacked such that alternate notes have their ends protruding from one end of the stack, the intervening notes protruding from the opposite end. The topmost banknote can be dispensed individually by gripping the protruding end of the underlying banknote.

Abstract: A banknote store comprises a rotatable structure such as a drum which has a number of banknote storage regions arranged around its periphery. Each stores a stack of banknotes, the stacks growing inwardly as banknotes are added. The drum can be rotated to bring each storage region into proximity to means for delivering banknotes to and/or retrieving banknotes from the store.

Abstract: A device for stacking banknotes, comprising a cashbox and a stacker arranged to stack banknotes of predetermined dimensions in said cashbox, said cashbox having a surface including an aperture therein, said aperture having a dimension in a first direction of W, said device being arranged to receive a banknote at a position overlying said aperture, said banknote having a dimension in said first direction of L, said stacking means being arranged to push said banknote through said aperture and into a stacked position in said cashbox, wherein said banknote is pushed to a predetermined maximum depth D in said cashbox relative to said aperture such that D<(L−W)/2.

Abstract: A device and technique for storing flexible media of different dimensions is described. In an implementation, the device includes a carriage having at least two rotating members, a membrane wrapped about each rotating member, a frame and at least one actuator. When flexible media, such as a banknote, is fed into the device, the actuator causes the carriage to move in a forward direction so that a first membrane unwraps to press a banknote onto a stack. The carriage then moves in a reverse direction back into an initial position, and the first membrane wraps about a rotating member and a second membrane unwraps to hold the banknote in place.

Abstract: A banknote validator comprises a banknote transport path divided in multiple transport sub-systems. Each sub-system is easy to maintain because the axes of a sub-system are in reduced number, and easily removable for maintenance of the sub-system. The validator allows continuous frictional engagement of a banknote in the transport path, including between sub-systems.