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.

Abstract: A banknote reader for initiating a service operation of a vending machine (6) comprises an installation housing of side plates (1) and a money container (11). An interior (14) between the side plates (1) has devices (15; 16; 18; 19; 21; 22; 24) for aligning, transporting, checking and rejecting banknotes (8) and are arranged as modules at predetermined locations along the transport path of the banknotes (8). The installation housing has exchangeable front parts (2; 3; 24) and has on opposite narrow sides (9; 12) a flap 13, which can be pivoted for maintenance work and contains a built-in control device (25), and a connecting opening (10) to the money container (11), respectively. A minimal design of the banknote reader comprises at least a transport system (15), an entry channel (16) for aligning the banknotes (8), a drive unit (22) of the transport system (15), a checking device (18) for recognising genuine banknotes (8), and the control device (25).

Abstract: Test apparatus for value sheets (e.g. currency notes) comprises optical sensors (16; 116), a path along which the sheet is transported past the sensors, and reference devices (46, 146) carrying reference surfaces (48; 148) having predetermined optical characteristics, for example, for calibration of the optical sensor. Each reference device is rotatable to facilitate rapid movement of the sheet past the optical sensors. The transportation path may be defined by entry and exit guides. Alternatively it may be defined by upper and lower guides (20, 22) of spaced apart wires (24, 32) which do not substantially obscure the surfaces of sheet or the reference surfaces, from the optical sensors. Guide rollers (54, 58, 154, 158) project through spaces between the wires to advance the sheet. An automatic cleaning device is operable to clean the reference surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for handling sheets, such as bank notes or other value sheets. An inserted note is transported to an intermediate position in which the note can either be rejected or encashed without affecting notes already stored on a temporary storage drum, or the note can be stored on the temporary storage drum from the intermediate position. The intermediate position may be in an output path of the apparatus and the note reversed on to the drum, the intermediate position may be a partially stored position of the note on the drum, from which the note can be discharged without discharging any additional notes already stored on the drum. A selectable transmission coupling is used to rotate the drum from a common drive source in one direction for storing successive notes as a bundle, and in a reverse direction of discharging the bundle.

Abstract: A banknote (9) inserted by a user in an entrance channel (1) of a banknote validator moves along a transport path defined by upper and lower belts (10 and 11) past two sensors (2). Each belt is supported on a respective support member (6, 7). The belts are driven on respective rollers (12, 13) which are rotatable on respective axles (14, 15). Projections (21, 20) or the support members bear on the axles (15, 14) against the action of springs (19, 18) such that the lower belt (11), in the region of the first sensor (2), is located at a predetermined distance from the first sensor and that the upper belt (10), in the region of the second sensor (2), is located at a predetermined spacing from the second sensor (2), thus causing the inserted banknote (9) to pass the sensors (2) at a predetermined spacing therefrom. Reference surfaces are similarly mounted. A support for the axles is described in which one end of the axle is axially movable relative to the support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stacking sheets on a stationary stack is disclosed comprising conveying a sheet to a roller and rolling the sheet onto the stack of sheets. The roller is preferably moved across the stack of sheets by a carriage while the sheet is being rolled onto the stack.

Abstract: A banknote reader for initiating a service operation of a vending machine comprises an installation housing of side plates and a money container. Between the side plates are modules for aligning, transporting, checking and/or rejecting banknotes. The modules are positioned at predetermined locations along the transport path of the banknotes. The installation housing has exchangeable front parts and opposite narrow sides. A flap which can be pivoted for maintenance work can be provided. A built-in control device and a connecting opening to the money container can be included.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing banknotes from a cashbox is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving a locked cashbox having a door which is openable within the housing. The outer housing prevents manual extraction of the cashbox contents when the cashbox door is open. A handling and transport mechanism is contained in the outer housing to remove the cashbox contents and perform processing of the contents.

Abstract: An intermediate storage apparatus for the storage of sheets has an acceptance cycle and a transportation cycle and includes a feed system and a transportation system. In the acceptance cycle the intermediate storage apparatus waits until a first detector detects the presence of a sheet at an entry and triggers off an acceptance operation in the feed system by way of a control device. The feed system stacks the sheets which are fed by a conveyor system to provide a stack in the transportation system which is locked in the acceptance cycle. As soon as the acceptance cycle is concluded, the control device decides whether the transportation system is to pass the stack into a box or into a return dish and switches on a drive unit of the transportation system to transport the stack. The intermediate storage apparatus then returns to the acceptance cycle.

Abstract: A common drive unit which supplies torque to a conveyor and a stacking device of a sheet reading apparatus, e.g., a banknote reader, comprises at least two motors and two couplings. The conveyor conveys sheets past a testing device installed between an input channel and the stacking device for the recognition of sheet characteristics. A control device decides on the basis of signals received from the testing device on the acceptance or rejection of the tested sheet, and controls the motors and the couplings to effect same. The torque of the two motors is transmitted as required to a drive axle of the conveyor or to a gear box of the stacking device. To convey the sheet to the stacking device, both motors are coupled to the drive axle of the conveyor, while at least the torque of the first motor acts upon the drive axle if the sheet is to be ejected. If the sheet is accepted, the second coupling connects the second motor to the gear box of the stacking device for stacking the sheet.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding flexible bills in first and second stacks, comprises a cuboid housing having first and second openings on oppositely located walls thereof, a mechanism for opening and closing the first and second openings, and pressure plates disposed within the housing which press the first and second stacks against the first and second openings, respectively. The pressure plates are parallel to each other and are movable independently of each other along a common axis. At least one of the pressure plates is movable from its associated opening to the immediate proximity of the other pressure plate, thereby making maximum use of the interior space of the cartridge.

Abstract: In a sheet feeding device, the local feed of the sheet is measured in the vicinity of respective drive rollers by means of respective sensors for the purpose of aligning rectangular sheets of a preselected set. On the basis of signals from the light sensors, a control device determines an optimum pair of rollers for aligning the sheet. The control device compares the signals of the two associated sensors and adjusts the local feed of the sheet in such a way that the two sensors establish the same local feed, before the sheet leaves one of the selected rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheets comprises a belt of predetermined length and an endless belt. The belts pass around fixed axis rollers and three guide rollers which are displaceable for the purpose of varying the belt geometry by means of a carriage. As soon as a sheet passes in one direction of movement into a transportation plane formed by the belts a drive displaces the carriage on a rail into a position above a stack in the same direction of movement, the sheet which is engaged by the belts being conveyed at double the speed of the carriage to one of the guide rollers around which it is rolled for deposit on to the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fault-free receiving and issue of sheets has guide rollers which are arranged on a carriage and which engage into belts to alter the geometry of the belts when the carriage is displaced on a rail over a stack by means of a drive. In the receiving or issue operation the sheet to be stacked or a top sheet to be issued rolls, without sliding, around one of the outer guide rollers, on the stack. Disposed between the outer guide rollers on a roller shaft are rotatable suction rollers whose suction cap sucks up the top sheet by means of reduced pressure at the beginnning of an issue cycle. A control arrangement is adapted to trigger off apparatus receiving and issue cycles and establishes predetermined positions of the carriage on the rail.