APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLEXIBLE SHEETS

Abstract

In a paper money handling apparatus including a volume for containing a paper money, a paper money transfer means for taking the paper money into and out from the volume, a paper money guide for guiding the paper money to be taken into and out from the volume, and a paper money pressing means for pressing the paper money in the volume, the paper money pressing means descends with its gravity at a side of the paper money guide facing to the volume, and the apparatus further includes a paper money deforming member for applying to the paper money a rigidity for moving vertically upward the paper money pressing means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling flexible sheets.

A flexible sheets handling apparatus contained in an automated teller machine (hereafter, explained about a paper money handling apparatus as a typical example thereof) has a receiving-discharging container. The receiving-discharging container contains the received paper money and discharges the received paper money (for so-called received paper money reusing). The receiving-discharging container has a paper money inlet port for receiving (hereafter called as stacking) the paper money and a paper money outlet port for discharging (hereafter called as separating) the paper money. Using one port as the paper money inlet port and the paper money outlet port causes a decrease in space and total number of its parts to miniaturize the receiving-discharging container. The receiving-discharging container includes a storage part for storing the paper money, a stacking space in which the paper moneys to be stored in the storage part are stacked, and a stacking and separating mechanism for staking the paper moneys in the stacking space and removing the paper money from the storage part.

It is necessary for keeping high reliability of the paper money handling apparatus that a front end of the paper money to be stacked in the stacking space is prevented from interfering with the paper moneys stacked in the stacking space and a rear end of the paper money to be stacked in the stacking space is prevented from interfering a front end of the paper money to be subsequently stacked in the stacking space. It should be considered in a case where the paper money having a bentness or curl is handled or the paper money handling apparatus is used in an environment where static electricity frequently occurs. Various means are proposed to keep the high reliability.

As a generally used means, a structure in which a rotary wing wheel is arranged in the vicinity of the paper money inlet port to urge vertically downward the rear end of the paper money to be stacked, is widely applicable. On the other hand, such structure has a problem of noise generated by the rotary wing wheel or difficulty in miniaturization of the apparatus caused by a volume of the rotary wing wheel. (The rotary wing wheel is called hereafter as a sheet roller.)

As means for pressing the rear end of the paper money without the rotary wing wheel, for example, JP-A-2001-316014 discloses a cam-type mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In JP-A-2001-316014, a cam-shaped paper money support means is actuated in response to a time for stacking the paper money. On the other hand, in a case a time period between a time of stacking the paper money and a time of actuating the paper money support means is changed by a control error or the like, there is a provability of that the paper money impinges the cam-shaped paper money support means to cause a failure of stacking.

Further, even when a case the paper money support means is actuated correctly, there is a provability of that before the paper money to be subsequently stacked reaches the stacking space to be stacked after the paper money is released from the cam-shaped paper money support means a curvature of the paper money as suppressed by the paper money support means returns to interfere with the paper money to be subsequently stacked at the paper money inlet port.

An object of the present invention is to provide a compact flexible sheet handling apparatus by which paper moneys are stably stacked and separated from each other.

The above object is achieved by flexible sheet transfer means for taking a flexible sheet into and out from a volume for storing the flexible sheet, a flexible sheet guide for guiding the flexible sheet to be taken into and out from the volume, and flexible sheet pressing means for pressing the flexible sheet in the volume, wherein the flexible sheet pressing means projects from a side of the flexible sheet guide facing to the volume to press the flexible sheet in the volume.

The above object is achieved by that the flexible sheet pressing means projects from the side of the flexible sheet guide facing to the volume with a gravity of the flexible sheet pressing means.

The above object is achieved by that the flexible sheet pressing means is urged by an elastic member to project from the side of the flexible sheet guide facing to the volume.

The above object is achieved by flexible sheet transfer means for taking a flexible sheet into and out from a volume for storing the flexible sheet, a flexible sheet guide for guidinig the flexible sheet to be taken into and out from the volume, and flexible sheet pressing means for pressing the flexible sheet in the volume, wherein the flexible sheet pressing means projects from a side of the flexible sheet guide facing to the volume, and a flexible sheet deforming member applies to the flexible sheet a rigidity for moving vertically upward the projected flexible sheet pressing means.

The above object is achieved by flexible sheet transfer means including a roller for taking a flexible sheet into and out from a volume for storing the flexible sheet, a flexible sheet guide for guiding the flexible sheet to be taken into and out from the volume, flexible sheet pressing means for pressing the flexible sheet in the volume, and a pressing plate for holding the flexible sheet in the volume, wherein an end of the flexible sheet pressing means is connected to the flexible sheet guide in a rotatable manner, another end of the flexible sheet pressing means presses the flexible sheet, and a flexible sheet deformation applying member protrudes from a surface of the roller contacting the flexible sheet in a rotational axis direction of the roller.

The above object is achieved by that the flexible sheet pressing means is kept be protruded to press the flexible sheet in the volume before the flexible sheet to be received is transferred, is moved to be distant from the stored flexible sheet when the flexible sheet to be received is transferred into the volume, and is moved to be distant from the stored flexible sheet when the flexible sheet is discharged from the volume.

The above object is achieved by that the flexible sheet pressing means is moved upward by the flexible sheet to be received with a rigidity of the flexible sheet increased by the flexible sheet deformation applying member.

The above object is achieved by that the flexible sheet pressing means is moved upward by a movable pressing plate contacting and holding the stored flexible sheet in the volume.

The above object is achieved by that the flexible sheet deformation applying member protrudes toward the flexible sheet guide to receive the flexible sheet, and is moved away with respect to the flexible sheet guide to discharge the flexible sheet.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic oblique projection view showing an automated teller machine to which the invention is applicable.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the automated teller machine to which the invention is applicable.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a paper money receiving-discharging device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the paper money receiving-discharging device as a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a paper money receiving operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a subsequent paper money receiving operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a paper money discharging operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an upper view of a receiving-discharging container to be mounted on the paper money receiving-discharging device.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the receiving-discharging container operating to receive the paper money.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the receiving-discharging container operating to discharge the paper money.

FIG. 11 includes cross sectional views showing sequential operations of a paper money pressing means.

FIG. 12 is a schematic oblique projection view showing a deformed paper money.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control flow of a pressing plate of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing another control flow of the pressing plate of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view showing a paper money pressing means urged by a spring force.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view showing a paper money holding means.

FIG. 18 is a partially cross sectional view showing a paper money pressing mechanism including the paper money pressing means.

FIG. 19 is a schematic side view showing an axial arrangement of the paper money pressing means, a paper money deformation applying member and a paper money transfer means.

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view showing a mechanism for moving the paper money deformation applying member to protrude and be withdrawn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with making reference to the drawings.

At first, a generally used automated teller machine is described.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an outer appearance of the automated teller machine.

In FIG. 1, an automated teller machine 101 has a card/account-sheet handling mechanism 102 for handling a finance card of a client and an account sheet, a bankbook handling mechanism 103 for handling a bankbook, a chassis 104, a client operation part 105 for displaying and receiving an information needed for handling, and a paper money receiving-discharging device 1. A controller of main body is denoted by “106”.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control relationship in the automated teller machine 1.

In FIG. 2, the card/account-sheet handling mechanism 102, the bankbook handling mechanism 103, the client operation part 105 and the paper money receiving-discharging device 1 are connected to the main body controller 106 though a bus 110 to be controlled by the main body controller 106 for performing necessary operations. Additionally, an interface portion 107 and an attendant operation part 108 and an outer memory device 109 are connected by the bus 110 to transfer necessary data. (Detailed explanation is omitted.) Incidentally, an electric power is supplied to the above elements by an electric power source 111.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a construction of the paper money receiving-discharging device 1 mounted on the automated teller machine 101.

In FIG. 3, the paper money receiving-discharging device 1 has an inlet-outlet port 2 for receiving and discharging the paper money, a paper money discrimination part 3 for discriminating a kind and falseness of the paper money, a temporary storage part 4 for temporarily storing the paper money until a treatment of the paper money is determined, a transfer path connecting the elements of the paper money receiving-discharging device 1, and paper money cassettes for containing the paper moneys treated by the paper money receiving-discharging device 1.

Incidentally, the paper money cassettes have respective functions. A money reception container stores rejected paper moneys which are deemed to be inapplicable for being discharged because of, for example, their bentness or kinds. Receiving-discharging containers contains respective kinds of the paper moneys to be received and discharged. For example, one of the containers stores the paper moneys of 1000 yens, and the other one of them sores paper moneys of 10000 yens so that the paper moneys of 1000 yens and 10000 yens are capable of being received and discharged.

This embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, has the money reception container 6 and the receiving-discharging container 7. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the paper money handling device of the invention is used in the receiving-discharging container 7.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a control system.

In FIG. 4, a controller 9 is connected to the main body controller 106 by the bus 110 to control the paper money receiving-discharging device 1 in accordance with an order from the main body controller 106 and a detected condition of the paper money receiving-discharging device 1, and to transfer data of the detected condition to the main body controller if necessary.

Hereafter, an operation for receiving the paper money in the paper money receiving-discharging device 1 is described with making reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are longitudinally cross sectional views of the paper money receiving-discharging device.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the paper money is transferred from the inlet-outlet port 2 to the transfer path 5. The paper money is transferred along the transfer path 5 in a direction shown by an arrow mark to be stored temporarily in the temporary storage part 4 while detecting the kind of the paper money and a total number of the paper moneys in the paper money discrimination part 3. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the paper money is transferred from the temporary storage part 4 in a direction shown by an arrow mark while discriminating a condition of the paper money in the paper money discrimination part 3 so that the rejected money is stored in the money reception container 6. The paper money which is deemed to be normal is stored in one of the receiving-discharging container 7 corresponding to the kind of the paper money.

Next, a paper money discharging operation of the paper money receiving-discharging device 1 is described with making reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinally cross sectional view of the paper money receiving-discharging device.

In FIG. 7, the paper moneys to be discharged are transferred from the receiving-discharging container 7 onto the transfer path 5. The paper moneys transferred onto the transfer path 5 are transferred into and stacked in the inlet-outlet port 2 after theirs kinds and a total number thereof are discriminated in the paper money discrimination part 3.

Next, the receiving-discharging container 7 is described. Incidentally, in the embodiment, a paper money transfer means corresponds to a combination of a feed roller 701 and a backup roller 702 as described below, and the paper money guide corresponds to a stacking-separation guide 705 as described below.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 8 is a front view of the receiving-discharging container 7 mounted in the paper money receiving-discharging device 1.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the receiving-discharging container 7 operating for receiving the paper money.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the receiving-discharging container 7 operating for discharging the paper money.

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the paper moneys extending horizontally are stacked in the receiving-discharging container 7 as a vertical paper money cassette for receiving and discharging the paper money. The receiving-discharging container 7 has the feed roller 701, the backup roller 702, a gate roller 703, a deformation applying member 709 (as shown in FIG. 11) for deforming the paper money to be stacked, a paper money pressing means 704 for pressing a rear end of the paper money to be stacked, a pickup roller 711, the stacking-separating guide 705, a pressing plate 706, a side plate 708, a movable side plate 710 and a side wall 713. The feed roller 701 is driven through a gear by a drive source such as a motor or the like (not shown) to rotate in a stacking direction and a separating direction. The backup roller 702 is not driven but rotatable in accordance with a rotation of the feed roller 701. The gate roller 703 is rotationally driven through one-way clutch by a drive source (not shown) in a paper money staking direction (a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9), while being prevented from being rotationally driven in a paper money separating direction (a clockwise direction in FIG. 9).

The paper money pressing means 704 presses the stored paper moneys in the receiving-discharging container 7, and is rotatable on its rotational shaft mounted on the stacking-separating guide 705. The paper money pressing means 704 is capable of suppressing the bentness of the stored paper money with it gravity and/or a spring force, but is capable of being moved upward by the paper money which should be stored and has a anti-bent rigidity increased by the deformation applying member 709 (as shown in FIG. 11). The paper money pressing means 704 has preferably at least two parts to be positioned at left and right sides of the paper money. The pickup roller 711 is rotationally connected to the feed roller 701 to rotate in the stacking direction and the separating direction.

The side wall 713 and the movable side plate 710 are positionally adjustable in accordance with a size of the paper money. A width of the side wall 713 is preferably greater by 2-10 mm than a width of the paper money. The movable side plate 710 is preferably positioned to make a distance between the side plate 708 and the movable side plate 710 greater by about 2 mm that the size of the paper money handled by the paper money receiving-discharging device 1.

The deformation applying member 709 (as shown in FIG. 11) projects from the transferring surface for the paper money to be stored and overlaps the stacking-separating guide 705 facing thereto to deform the paper money to be stored so that the rigidity of the paper money is increased. Incidentally, the deformation applying member 709 is withdrawn to be prevented from projecting from the transferring surface for the paper money to be discharged so that the paper money is discharged smoothly to the outside.

Next, a paper money receiving operation of the receiving-discharging container 7 is described.

At first, the pressing plate 706 is moved downward to make the stacking-separating guide 705 have an angle as shown in FIG. 9. Such movement makes a space between the stacking-separating guide 705 and the stored paper money to enable the paper money to be received from the outside. Subsequently, the paper money reaching the receiving-discharging container 7 is clamped between the feed roller 701 and the backup roller 702 and between the feed roller 701 and the gate roller 703 to be transferred into a space between the stacking-separating guide 705 and the stored paper money.

An operation of the paper money pressing means 704 is described with making reference to FIG. 11.

In FIG. 11, the paper money pressing means 704 presses the paper money with its gravity, on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the paper money pressing means 704 may be pulled by a spring 30 to press the paper money.

In FIG. 11, the paper money pressing means 704 presses the end of the stored paper money in the storage volume until the paper money to be stored reaches the receiving-discharging container 7. The paper money pressing means 704 partially projects vertically upward from the gate roller 703 to overlap the feed roller 701. When the paper money 800 is transferred, the paper money 800 to be stored in the receiving-discharging container 7 is deformed by the deformation applying member 709. As shown in FIG. 12, the paper money 800 transferred between the feed roller 701 and the feed roller in a direction of an arrow mark 811 to be received in the receiving-discharging container 7 is deformed by a reaction force 812 of the stacking-separating guide 705 and a reaction force 813 of the deformation applying member 709.

This deformation causes an increase in rigidity of the paper money 800 for raising vertically upward the paper money pressing means 704 against the gravity of the paper money pressing means 704 for pressing the paper money 800 to be received in the storage volume of the receiving-discharging container 7. The deformation applying member 709 may project continuously to deform the paper money during an entire time period for staking the paper moneys, or alternatively, for example, may project only when the paper money passes while being withdrawn when the paper money does not passes so that the deformation applying member 709 projects and is withdrawn in response to each pass of the paper money.

The paper money pressing means 704 presses the stored paper money in the receiving-discharging container 7 until the paper money pressing means 704 is moved vertically upward by the paper money 800 so that the end of the stored paper money is prevented from contacting the end of the paper money 800. The paper money pressing means 704 moved vertically downward to press the paper money 800 in response to that the rear end of the paper money is separated from a nip portion between the feed roller 701 and the gate roller 703.

Since the paper money pressing means 704 presses the rear end of the paper money, a space for receiving subsequent one of the paper money is formed. A timing of vertically downward movement of the paper money pressing means 704 is determined in accordance with the rigidity of the paper money 800 and a shape of the paper money pressing means 704. Therefore, the paper money pressing means 704 may move vertically downward before the rear end of the paper money is separated from the nip portion between the feed roller 701 and the gate roller 703.

When the paper moneys are stacked continuously, the space between the stacking-separating guide 705 and the stored paper money becomes narrow to prevent the paper money pressing means 704 from moving vertically downward so that the subsequent one of the paper money cannot be received. Therefore, an angle of the stacking-separating guide 705 is detected to detect that the stacking-separating guide 705 contacts the stored paper money when the paper moneys are stacked, so that the pressing plate 705 is moved vertically downward to have the predetermined angle (as shown in FIG. 9 of the embodiment) in response to such detection so that the space between the stacking-separating guide 705 and the stored paper money is kept (along a control flow as shown in FIG. 13).

Next, the paper money discharging operation of the receiving-discharging container 7 is described.

The deformation applying member 709 movable to project and be embedded with respect to the transferring surface is withdrawn to be prevented from contacting the paper money 800 for the discharging operation. Subsequently, the pressing plate 706 as shown in FIG. 10 is driven upward in FIG. 10. The pressing plate 706 continues to move vertically upward until the stored paper money 800 moves vertically upward the stacking-separating guide 705 and the paper money pressing means 704 so that the uppermost one of the stored paper moneys 800 contacts the pickup roller 711, and stops temporarily in response to that the contact is detected. Incidentally, the paper money pressing means 704 may be withdrawn by a driving source not shown instead of that being moved vertically upward by the paper money 800.

The gate roller 703 is kept stationary by the one-way clutch to apply, when the uppermost one of the stored paper moneys 800 is removed and transferred by the pickup roller 711, a braking force to the subsequent one of the stored paper moneys 800 under the uppermost one of the stored paper moneys 800 so that a plurality of the paper moneys 800 are prevented from being discharged simultaneously from the receiving-discharging container 7.

Incidentally, when the paper money is discharged, although the pressing plate 706 is controlled to ascend and descend in accordance with the angle of the stacking-separating guide 705 in the above embodiment, the pressing plate 706 may be controlled in accordance with a position of the paper money pressing means 704. That is, the pressing plate 706 may descend to make the paper money pressing means 704 project from the stacking-separating guide 705 by a predetermined value (for example, 5 mm) in response to that a time period during which the paper money between the stacking-separating guide 705 and the stored paper money presses vertically upward the paper money pressing means 704 exceeds a predetermined time period (for example, 0.5 second). Further, the pressing plate 706 may be controlled in accordance with both of the angle of the stacking-separating guide 705 and the position of the paper money pressing means 704. A control flow therefore is shown in FIG. 14.

As shown in FIG. 17, a paper money holding means 731 may be arranged to prevent the rear end of the stored paper money from moving vertically upward to interfere with the paper money to be stored subsequently. The paper money holding means 731 keeps the end of the paper money under the paper money holding means 731 to be prevented from interfering with the paper money to be stored subsequently after the paper money is positioned under the paper money holding means 731 by the vertically downward movement of the pressing plate or the like. Incidentally, the paper money holding means 731 may be withdrawn when the paper money is discharged to the outside.

Although the paper money pressing means 704 is freely rotatable on the shaft in the above embodiment, the paper money pressing means 704 may be rotationally driven in response to a paper money receiving timing detected by a paper money detector. For example, the paper money pressing means 704 may be withdrawn just before the paper money proceeds into the receiving volume, or may project to press the paper money in response to that the paper money proceeds into the receiving volume by a predetermined value (for example, two thirds of length of the paper money in proceeding direction).

The paper money pressing means 704 may be driven only when the rigidity of the paper money detected by a paper money condition detector not shown is not more than a predetermined rigidity, and may be raised by the paper money when the detected rigidity of the paper money is more than the predetermined rigidity.

In a case where the paper money pressing means 704 is driven, as shown in FIG. 15, the paper money pressing means 704 may, for example, move to form a circular trace instead of projecting vertically.

An object to be handled in the above embodiment is the paper money, but a flexible sheet or the like is also applicable.

As shown in FIG. 20, the deformation applying member 709 may be rotatable on a support shaft 709a, urged upward by an elastic member and driven by a driving source 709s (solenoid or the like) to protrude from a transfer nip surface area between the feed roller 701 and the gate roller 703 and be embedded into the transfer nip surface area.

The invention as described above:

1. Flexible sheet transfer means for taking a paper money into and out from a volume for storing the flexible sheet, a flexible sheet guide for guiding the flexible sheet to be taken into and out from the volume, and flexible sheet pressing means for pressing the flexible sheet in the volume, wherein the flexible sheet pressing means descends with its gravity from a side of the flexible sheet guide facing to the volume, and a flexible sheet deformation applying member applies to the flexible sheet a rigidity for moving upward the flexible sheet pressing means after descending.

2. Flexible sheet transfer means including a roller for taking a paper money into and out from a volume for storing the flexible sheet, a flexible sheet guide for guiding the flexible sheet to be taken into and out from the volume, flexible sheet pressing means for pressing the flexible sheet in the volume, and a pressing plate for holding the paper money in the volume, wherein an end of the flexible sheet pressing means is connected to the pressing plate in a rotatable manner, another end thereof presses the paper money, and a flexible sheet deformation applying member projects from a surface of the roller contacting the flexible sheet in a rotational axis direction of the roller.

3. The flexible sheet pressing means is kept be protruded to press the flexible sheet in the volume before the flexible sheet to be received is transferred, is moved to be distant from the stored flexible sheet when the flexible sheet to be received is transferred into the volume, and is moved to be distant from the stored flexible sheet when the flexible sheet is discharged from the volume.

4. The flexible sheet pressing means is moved upward by the flexible sheet to be received with a rigidity of the flexible sheet increased by the flexible sheet deformation applying member.

5. The paper money pressing means is moved upward by a movable pressing plate contacting and holding the stored paper money in the volume when the paper money is discharged.

The flexible sheet deformation applying member protrudes toward the paper money guide to receive the paper money, and is moved away with respect to the paper money guide to discharge the paper money.

It should be further understood by those skilled in the art that although the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flexible sheet handling apparatus comprising,

flexible sheet transfer means for taking a flexible sheet into and out from a volume for storing the flexible sheet,

a flexible sheet guide for guiding the flexible sheet to be taken into and out from the volume, and

flexible sheet pressing means for pressing the flexible sheet in the volume,

wherein the flexible sheet pressing means projects from the flexible sheet guide into the volume to extend over the flexible sheet transfer means so that the flexible sheet in the volume is prevented from contacting the flexible sheet transfer means when the flexible sheet is taken into the volume.

2. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet pressing means projects from the flexible sheet guide into the volume with a gravity of the flexible sheet pressing means.

3. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member for urging the flexible sheet pressing means to project from the flexible sheet guide into the volume.

4. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheet deforming member for applying to the flexible sheet a force for moving the flexible sheet pressing means toward the flexible sheet guide.

5. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet pressing means is kept protruded into the volume until the flexible sheet is transferred, and is moved toward the flexible sheet guide after the flexible sheet is received by the volume.

6. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet pressing means is moved toward the flexible sheet guide by a force applied to the flexible sheet pressing means from the flexible sheet.

7. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet pressing means is moved toward the flexible sheet guide by a force applied to the flexible sheet pressing means from the flexible sheet when the flexible sheet is discharged from the volume.

8. A flexible sheet handling apparatus for taking a flexible sheet into a volume, comprising,

a flexible sheet transfer device for driving the flexible sheet to be transferred into the volume, and

a pressing member capable of reciprocating with respect to the volume to move between a first position at which the pressing member presses the flexible sheet in the volume and a second position at which the pressing member is separated from the flexible sheet in the volume to allow a subsequent one of the flexible sheet to move onto the flexible sheet in the volume.

9. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressing member is urged toward the flexible sheet in the volume by a gravity of the pressing member.

10. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressing member is urged toward the flexible sheet in the volume by an elastic force.

11. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the flexible sheet transfer device includes:

a pair of rollers having respective peripheral surfaces between which the flexible sheet is clamped and whose rotational axes are parallel to each other, and being rotatable to drive the flexible sheet along an imaginary straight driving line which extends perpendicular to an imaginary straight junction line passing the rotational axes as seen in a direction parallel to the rotational axes and which passes a boundary between the peripheral surfaces at which the flexible sheet is clamped, and

a pair of flexible sheet deforming members having respective contact surfaces contactable with a surface of the flexible sheet, wherein the flexible sheet deforming members is capable of extending over the imaginary straight driving line as seen in the direction to contact the surface at the contact surfaces and the peripheral surfaces are arranged between the contact surfaces in an axial direction of the rollers so that a groove whose longitudinal direction is parallel to another direction in which the flexible sheet is driven by the rollers and whose concave surface as a reverse surface of the flexible sheet with respect to the surface in a thickness direction thereof is contactable with the pressing member, is formed on the flexible sheet to increase a rigidity of the flexible sheet for moving the pressing member to the second position.

12. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the pressing member is arranged between the contact surfaces in the axial direction.

13. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the contact surfaces overlap at least partially the rollers as seen in the axial direction.

14. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the flexible sheet deforming members is capable of reciprocating with respect to the rollers to move between a projecting position at which the flexible sheet deforming members extend over the imaginary straight driving line to form the groove and a withdrawn position at which the flexible sheet deforming members is prevented from extending over the imaginary straight driving line to prevent the groove from being formed.

15. The flexible sheet handling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the pressing member has respective pressing surfaces contactable with the surface, and the rollers are arranged between the pressing surfaces in the axial direction.