Abstract: A detector mechanism and system for currency dispensers for automatic banking equipment which senses the presence of multiple or double bills, called "doubles," at any bill location in a series of bills intended to be fed one by one in a path of travel from a supply of bills to a place of delivery to a customer. The bill thickness of each bill is gauged continuously while moving in the path of travel, and the thickness measurements are time averaged over substantially the entire length of the gauged portion of the bill. The averaged and normal bill thicknesses are compared to determine if the averaged thickness is greater than the normal thickness by a predetermined amount. A greater thickness determination generates a signal of the presence of doubles, and the signal actuates means to reject the doubles while moving in the path of travel before delivery of the doubles to a customer.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for detecting document jams in a document processing apparatus by detecting the translucency of the documents. The disclosed apparatus includes a transport path for guiding documents and drive wheels for moving the documents along the transport path. An LED light source located on one side of the transport path illuminates at least a portion of the moving document as it passes along the transport path. A phototransistor light detector located on the other side of the transport path detects light from the LED that passes through translucent portions of the document. Electronics connected to the light detector indicate a document jam when the translucency of a document is generally unchanged for a period of time while the document is between the light source and light detector.

Abstract: A mistake detector for an In-Line Inserter includes complementary metallic detecting rolls positioned slightly downstream of ejection rolls of a pull-foot sheet feeding system. One of the detecting rolls is moveable and is attached to a detection feeler which is positioned between detection points. The detection points are also moveably mounted so that their positions can be overridden by excessive movement of the detection feeler.

Abstract: A proximity caliper for sensing the correct thickness of printed signatures is mounted on an apparatus for feeding printed sheets. A metal gripper which retains a signature against a rotatable drum traverses the caliper as the drum transfers the signature from one point to another. The proximity of the metal gripper with respect to the caliper is a function of signature thickness. Hence, the signature having too many or too few pages is detected. The proximity caliper includes at least two proximity sensors which do not come in contact with the metal gripper. The position of the sensors is adjustable with respect to the rotatable drum to accommodate signatures having a wide range of different thicknesses. The sensors are also adjustable with respect to each other to control the sensing tolerance. Signatures of the correct thickness are transferred by the drum and normal operation of the feeding apparatus proceeds. Signatures which are detected as having an incorrect number of pages may be removed.

Abstract: An automatic doubles and sheet thickness detector is disclosed that operates by comparing consecutive sheet materials that are delivered to a rotating drum.The consecutive sheet materials pass under two spaced apart rollers that are movably biased against the drum. If a sheet of greater thickness or a double sheet passes under one of the rollers, it will be displaced a greater distance from the drum surface than the other roller. This displacement is magnified by means of elongated pivot arms, which are attached to each roller. The magnified movement is detected by means of an optical arrangement comprising a light source, a photodetector, and a pair of mirrors. The mirrors are each secured to a distal end of a respective pivot arm. The light source casts a beam that reflects off each mirror towards the photodetector.

Abstract: The sheet-presenting unit presents received sheets to the printing instrumentality of the machine. The sheet-feeding unit feeds sheets to the sheet-presenting unit. The two units have activators which can be enabled and disenabled. The operator of the machine initiates a start signal. A sheet detector generates missing-sheet, skew-sheet and muliplee-sheet signals, indicating the condition of the sheet at the sheet-presenting unit. Enablement stages determine whether the activators for the feeding and presenting units are to be enabled or not. When the activators are enabled, the start signal is automatically extinguished. A logic circuit receives the start signal and the signals from the sheet detector. The logic circuit has pre-start-up and post-start-up modes of operation, corresponding to generation and termination of the start signal.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus and reproducing machine comprising a plurality of sheet receiving bins supported in a first frame. A sheet transport is supported in a second frame. The frames are arranged for relative movement between a first closed position wherein the transport is operatively associated with the bins and a second open position to provide access to the transport and the bins for sheet clearance. The second frame supports a guide member for guiding a sheet along the transport. The guide member is supported for movement between a first position wherein it is spaced closely adjacent to the transport and a second position wherein it is more widely spaced therefrom. A cam and follower arrangement is utilized to move the guide member between its respective first and second positions in response to the opening and closing of the frames.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for handling or for stacking sheets provide servo power and pass the sheets seriatim from a first region to a second region. The provided servo power is transmitted through each of the sheets during passage thereof from the first region to the second region and the sheets are handled or stacked in the second region with the transmitted servo power.

Abstract: Currency dispensing apparatus is disclosed in which vertically stacked bills located in a removable container positioned in the dispenser are fed one-by-one from the top of the stack through an opening in the container ceiling by a proximately located overlying rotary suction head. The head advances the bills to the nip of a pair of superimposed bill transport belts overlying the stack from which point they are then transported by the belts back over the top of the stack to a diverter whereat the bills are either diverted to an underlying reject bin located adjacent the stack or to a delivery chute for manual removal by a customer. A multiple, or overlapped, bill sensor is located along the bill transport path between the suction pickup head and the diverter which, in cooperation with suitable control circuitry responsive to the sensor, controls the diverter for diverting multiple, or overlapped, bills into the underlying reject bin while allowing single bills to be transported to the customer delivery chute.

Abstract: An improved signature handling apparatus includes a movable gripper jaw which operates in conjunction with similar gripper mechanisms to clamp and spread the signature so that the laps fall on opposite sides of the saddle in a saddle gatherer. In order to assure that the pages on the opposite sides of the fold fall on the appropriate side of the saddle gatherer, a sensing means is utilized to detect whether all of the pages on one side of the signature are properly clamped by the gripper jaw. Since the position of the gripper jaw is indicative of whether the correct thickness has been clamped, the sensing means emits a positive response when the gripper jaw is in the correct position. The sensing means includes a part operatively associated with the gripper jaw which is adjusted by connecting means to be in a predetermined position when the gripper jaw properly clamps the signature leg.

Abstract: A device for detecting the thickness of sheets comprising a seizing roller on a first shaft mounted for counterclockwise rotation and a feed roller on a second shaft mounted for clockwise rotation and having a diameter smaller than that of the first shaft. The seizing roller includes a peripheral portion having a peripheral length slightly longer than each of bank notes to be transferred and cooperating with the feed roller and a recess for receiving the forward end of each bank note. The forward end of the bank note received in the recess is engaged between the feed roller and the peripheral portion of the seizing roller during their rotation to pass the bank note between the rollers. There is a displacement detecting device for detecting the displacement of the smaller roller shaft occurring during the passage of the bank note between the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for the unstacking and transportation of blanks into a subsequently arranged operating chamber of a processing machine, wherein the blanks are transferred from a stack of blanks, by hoisting devices, especially suction bridges, includes a suspended conveyor which conveys the blanks by way of a double-blank control device to a centering station. From the centering station, the blanks, centered in their position, are transferrable into the operating chamber, optionally by way of an intermediate station. At least two stacks of blanks are disposed in series in the conveying direction of the blanks on at least two elevator carts movable at right angles to the conveying direction. Each elevator cart is associated with a separately operable suspended conveyor with associated hoisting units. A further, continuously driven suspended conveyor is provided downstream of the double blank control device which conveyor spans a double-blank depositing unit and terminates over the zone of the centering station.

Abstract: Separate feeders are provided in line above and overlying a plurality of longitudinally aligned magazines with the feeders removing banknotes from their magazines and feeding the banknotes commonly through the aligned feeders towards a junction common to all magazines for discharging banknotes through a dispensing aperture of a banknote discharging apparatus.

Abstract: A multiple sheet detecting apparatus is disclosed which includes an ultrasonic transducer responsive to a time varying electrical signal to produce a time varying ultrasonic signal which impinges upon sheet(s) at a position along a predetermined path. A second ultrasonic transducer receives a portion of the ultrasonic wave which passes through such impinged upon sheet(s) for producing a second time varying signal. Comparison means are then provided which compare the phase relationship between the time varying electrical signals and produce an indication when such phase relationship indicates a multiple sheet feed condition has occurred.

Abstract: An automatic flat-article separating apparatus for mail handling is disclosed. The apparatus has an article transport path, an ejecting route, a suction belt, a thickness detector installed on the transport path and a roller assembly for compressing the flat article to the suction belt. The thickness detector determines the acceptable limits of the material passing on the transport path and when the article is within that predetermined range, the roller is activated to compress the flat article.

Abstract: A plurality of rollers each carried on an element pivoted on a support swing back and forth into engagement with respective continuously driven rollers to pinch a sheet delivered between the rollers by means of a vacuum lifter and advance it along a path. A motor on each support can vary the position of the respective movable roller relative to the fixed roller and the pivotal element is insulated from the support but abuts conductively thereagainst in a rest position. A controller connected between the support and the element detects abutment of the two contact surfaces which function as switches and operates a control system that can vary the spacing between each pair of rollers in accordance with the thickness of the sheet being fed to it. A too thick a sheet will push the rollers apart prematurely and open the switch and a too thin sheet will not push them apart before the vacuum lifter releases it.

Abstract: In a mechanism for feeding individual sheets of paper separately from a stack of paper sheets, a separating device exposes an edge of an outer sheet and a "pull-foot" is oscillated between the separated sheet and a remaining stack. A roller is concurrently moved into position to pinch the separated sheet between the pull-foot and the roller. The pull-foot is oscillated away from the stack and, in doing so, the outer sheet is pulled from the stack by interaction between the pull-foot and the roller.

Abstract: An improvement in a distributor of sheets in wads, comprising a detector for the simultaneous passing of several sheets in the vicinity of the output of a distributor, the detector controlling the directing of the sheets towards a particular receptacle and comprising an eccentric wheel and a device for the detection of rotation of the wheel when a plurality of sheets pass between the wheel and an opposing support.

Abstract: Method and apparatus employing serially positioned conveyors which are reorientable relative to one another in order to position an incoming stack of materials for transport and automatic stacking at an output position. Two of the conveyors are tiltable to upset the stack and provide initial shingling. Further shingling is achieved using an inclinable shingling conveyor in conjunction with a stripper unit.

Abstract: Two vertically aligned elevators, each being adapted to support a stack of blanks, elevate the blanks to a magnetic blank separator and conveyor. A releasable stack support on the upper of the elevators is operative to release the stack held thereby when the stack on the lower elevator is elevated subjacent the stack of the upper elevator, with the lower elevator then supporting the merged stack of both elevators. The stack support on the upper elevator engages beneath the merged stack at a predetermined height of the lower of said elevators to permit the latter to return for another stack. A stack height sensing device automatically alternately controls the vertical movement of the elevators when supporting the merged stack for continuous upward movement of the same for separation and lift-off. A double thickness detector is provided in combination with an ejector to ensure the conveying of only one blank at a time from the top of the stack.

Abstract: A printing machine receives single sheets which are removed from a stack by the suction cups of a feeding mechanism which is combined with a monitoring unit serving to detect the absence of sheets at the undersides of suction cups or the lifting of two or more sheets. The monitoring unit employs a transducer having two feelers which determine the thickness of lifted sheet material and an indicating device which is actuated by the feelers and produces signals serving to indicate the absence of sheets, the lifting of two or more sheets and/or to control the operation of the printing machine. The suction cups can form part of the transducer when the latter is designed to detect only the absence of sheets or they form part of a second transducer which is provided in addition to the first mentioned transducer.

Abstract: A method of currency examination is provided by transporting a bill through an examination station, projecting a beam of light at the bill as the bill is transported through the station, sensing and integrating light transmissivity of the bill over a principle portion of the area of a bill during transport of the bill past the beam of light, transporting the bill over a first course and depositing the bill in a first collection means when the bill exhibits a predetermined light transmissivity characteristic representative of a fit bill and alternatively transporting the bill over a second course and depositing the bill in a second collection means when the bill exhibits a predetermined light transmissivity characteristic representative of an unfit bill. Those bills transported over the second course are demonitized during transport. An apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention is described.

Abstract: A rotary suction device selectively removes individual paper money or currency bills or banknotes endwise from a stack or bundle thereof and delivers each removed bill endwise to conveyor means which successively, individually transports the bills to a dispensing station. Sensor means detects the presence of multiple bills on the suction rotor during removal from the stack; and, before delivery of any bills in multiple to the conveyor means, the multiple bills are rejected and bypass-discharged directly from the suction rotor to a reject station. A plurality of rotary suction devices may be installed side by side to deliver bills in various denominations, such as 1, 5, 10 and 20 dollar bills.

Abstract: Banking machines for dispensing paper currency require a document transport for accurately and reliably delivering a single bill or piece of currency from a storage bin to a customer. The document transport includes a feeder unit for delivering single pieces of currency from a stack to a pair of separator rollers and past a double document detector. Upon detection of more than one document passing through the separator rollers, a clutch is energized to cause one of the rollers to rotate in a direction opposite the other to separate the several bills and allow only the top one to be forwarded into a flat belt transport. As a piece of paper currency passes through the flat belt transport, spaced detectors produce a signal that indicates an overlapping or trailing document condition. This overlapping or trailing condition is measured by the spacing of detectors in the flat belt transport.

Abstract: The apparatus relates to an electronic verification and control system for obtaining an input count of entered bills and an analysis for various entry conditions for the bills and their state of fitness, and further to an automatic separator and inserter for packaging bills in a desired quantity for delivery.The system includes a conveyor for entering the quantity of a block of currency, commonly referred to as a strap, in terms of the number of bills contained within the strap. A detection circuit detects various entry conditions and determines quality and fitness. The bills are sorted accordingly, and a total count is maintained. At entry condition factors such as bill size, double bills, or bills too closely spaced are monitored, which provides for rejection of improperly entered bills as well as inhibiting the operation of the input count for consistency. Verification of an input count is provided by further ecount detection in the area of collection.