Abstract: Apparatus for validating paper currency banknotes and for forming a stack of such banknotes for removal from the apparatus. The apparatus includes a removable stacker box, a note acceptor for validating a paper currency banknote inserted in the apparatus, a transport mechanism for carrying the validated banknote to the stacker box, and a drive assembly including a motor and a pusher rod coupled to the motor for reciprocation thereby. The currency stacker box is in the form of an enclosed housing containing a holding plate, a pair of carrier belts and associated guide members, and a pusher plate. The housing includes a first small access opening, and a narrow slot through which the banknotes are introduced edgewise for engagement by the carrier belts. The carrier belts carry the validated banknote in front of the pusher plate. The pusher rod is arranged to extend through the small access opening in the currency stacker box when the stacker box is mounted in the apparatus.

Abstract: A note acceptor for validating a paper currency note introduced therein. The acceptor includes a note validator unit and plural, interchangeable nose-pieces for releasable mounting on the validator unit. The validator unit includes a housing having a path extending through it, a conveyor for moving a paper currency note along the path, and plural optical and magnetic sensors to sense features of the note conveyed along the path. The path is of a width sufficient to accommodate the widest of any paper currency note to be validated. Each nose-piece forms a respective entrance port and note-guide to the path in the validator by defining a channel of a predetermined width corresponding to the width of an associated sized paper currency note. By mounting a nose-piece designed for a particular sized paper currency onto the validator housing, the resulting acceptor is configured to handle that size paper currency. When the nose piece is removed the validator is arranged to accept the largest size currency note.

Abstract: A paper currency handling apparatus including a stacker or cash box, a note acceptor for validating a paper currency banknote inserted into the acceptor, and a transport and punch plate mechanism located within an openable cover of the apparatus for carrying the validated banknote into the stacker box. The stacker box is arranged to securely store a stack of paper currency banknotes therein and is a hollow body having a wall with entrance window located therein through which a validated banknote is introduced by the punch plate of the apparatus. The cash box also includes a releasably securable mechanism for releasably securing the box to the apparatus, and a releasably securable security plate. The security plate is arranged to be oriented in a first orientation and then slid into the box to a sealing position to completely close the window.