Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cancelling bank notes comprises an ink jet printer which provides cancellation markings on bank notes in contactless fashion. A marking sensor which checks the presence of the markings is protected, along with the ink jet printer, against unauthorized access.

Abstract: A shredder device for selectively shredding paper sheets, such as bank notes, in the form of an interchangeable module for a conveying system includes a conveyor movably mounted within the module, means disposed along a feed path for directing selected sheets onto the conveyor and a pair of shredding cylinders mounted rotatably in the module so as to receive and shred sheets mounted on the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a strap from a packet of thin sheets, such as bank notes, bound by the strap includes a housing, a magazine disposed within the housing having a receptacle and a drawer-like member received in the receptacle. A plurality of the packets are disposed in the drawer-like member which can be moved by a mechanism in the housing so that a portion of the drawer having a packet is exposed to an ejector member in the housing. The ejector member is operative to eject the exposed packet. Means are provided for engaging the strap and stack of the exposed packet. The means are operated to separate the stack and the strap.

Abstract: A feeder device for transferring a stack of paper sheets, such as bank notes, from a stack feeder device to a sheet receiving device includes an air conducting plate mounted between the stack feeder device and the receiving device. The plate has a plurality of bores extending therethrough at spaced intervals. Fluid pressure means are connected to the bores for discharging a stream of pressurized fluid along a feed path in the direction of the sheet receiving device and producing a low pressure along a surface of the plate adjacent the feed path. The bores are oriented to diverge toward opposite sides of the feed path.

Abstract: In a process for forming stacks of pieces of sheet material such as banknotes from an unbroken train of such sheets, the stacking of the sheets and the placing of label tapes round them takes place at one at the same position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically sorting packets of thin sheet articles such as securities, bank notes and the like which are bound in a stack by a band. A series of modular units are provided in which the band and the stack are mechanically separated, each sheet of the stack is conveyed independent of the band, each sheet is tested and directed to a target location dependent upon the results of the test. The transport of sheets having predetermined characteristics is coordinated with the transport of the band.

Abstract: A distributing apparatus for collecting information carrying sheets of paper and the like comprising, a plurality of trays which are each pivotally mounted to a succeeding tray in a stack thereof to form a magazine of trays with a locking device for locking each tray to an adjacent tray in the magazine so that the magazine can be transported as a unit. The magazine is supplied to a guide which has a curved portion adjacent a loading station. The curved portion of the guide causes adjacent trays to pivot apart from each other and open after their respective locks have been unlocked so that one or more information carrying sheets can be supplied to each of the now opened trays. A driving mechanism in the form of rotating rollers having pins extending therefrom is engageable with angle portions extending from the trays for moving the trays along a feed path and along the guides.

Abstract: A device for dynamically measuring the degree of dirt accumulation on bank-notes in which certain areas of the bank-note are illuminated and examined by means of a receiving unit. The light from a succession of adjacent elemental areas of a bank-note so illuminated is dependent upon the degree of dirt accumulation and is converted into a corresponding electric signal. The signal is analyzed to determine the number and amount of changes due to dirt accumulated in creases, and the analyzed signal is integrated to determine whether or not the number and nature of areas of accumulated dirt makes the ban-note unsuitable for further circulation.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a conveying system for transporting documents from the delivery end of one conveyor section to the spaced apart entry end of a receiving conveyor section in a manner wherein the document is stiffened by imparting undulating or corrugated folds therein as it is conveyed so as to facilitate the transfer of the document from one conveyor to the next and thereby permitting at least one or both sides of the document to be checked or read as it is being conveyed from one station to the next at the point of transfer.

Abstract: In the arrangement, a batch or stack of vertically oriented recording media sheets is supported on edge on a horizontal vibrating table which is vibrated by a vibrating conveyor and the sheets are advanced singly, starting with the leading or frontmost sheet, through a separating slot between a pair of endless belts constituting a transporting arrangement. A first rotating suction drum is mounted at the rear end of the vibrating table and is formed with circumferentially spaced suction bores for operative relation with a rotary slide valve to connect the suction bores intermittently to a suction system. A second rotating suction drum is arranged within the range of the separating slot and serves as a separating drum, and a hold-back suction drum is also arranged within the range of the separating slot and serves as a hold-back device, the hold-back suction drum having the same design as the first rotating suction drum.