Filling device and method for filling containers with value documents

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling device (1) and a method for filling a container (5) with a stack (2) of value documents, and to a value document processing device. The filling device is designed to fill the container with a stack of value documents, for example a stack of value documents (40) stored by the value document processor in an output region (62) of the value document processor (60). The filling device has an input interface (2), an output interface (4) and a transport path along which the containers can be transported from the input interface to the output interface, and further has a filling region (3) in which the containers input into the filling device can be positioned in each case in order to fill the containers with a stack of value documents by means of a gripping device (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filling device and a method for filling a container with value documents, in particular banknotes, and to a value-document processing device having such a filling device.

[0002] In so-called cash centers, for example in cash transit companies or central banks, a large number of valuable documents are checked, sorted, counted and, if necessary, packaged with the help of valuable document processing machines. The valuable documents processed in this way are usually filled in valuable document containers provided for this purpose for the purpose of storage and / or transportation in the cash center.

[0003] In a valuable document processing machine, valuable documents are separated individually from a stack and guided past a sensor on a transport section. The sensor checks the individual valuable documents and, depending on the results of the check, feeds them into a certain target position of the device, such as an output compartment. The checked valuable documents are fed into a stacking wheel in the device and are accommodated in compartments of the stacking wheel that are arranged one behind the other in a spiral shape around the axis of rotation. The stacking wheel rotates so that the compartments are filled with valuable documents. The valuable documents are wiped out of the compartments of the stacking wheel by means of a wiper, and a stack is formed thereby, which is output from the device.

[0004] It is also known to remove the value-document stacks outputted in the output compartment of the value-document processing machine from the output compartment by means of a gripper and then place them in value-document containers. For this purpose, the containers are transported along a transport path to a banknote processing device and placed in the vicinity of the output compartment. The disadvantage here is that after filling the value-document stacks, the corresponding containers are moved back again by the value-document processing machine along the same transport path. Therefore, it is necessary to wait until the first container has been removed before filling the other containers.

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to increase the speed at which a container is filled with value documents, in particular banknotes.

[0006] This object is achieved by a filling device and a method for filling according to the independent claims.

[0007] The filling device is designed to fill the container with a value-document stack, which is, for example, a value-document stack deposited by a value-document processing machine in the output region of the value-document processing machine.

[0008] The containers to be filled each have one or more receiving sections, which are each designed to receive a stack of value documents. The container or the receiving section is preferably open on its upper side, so that the stack of value documents can be placed in the container from above. The receiving sections can be separated from each other by partition elements, which can be fixed components of the container or can be elements that are separate from the container and can be variably positioned in the container. The stack of value documents is usually placed in the container or in its receiving section in such a way that the value documents in the container stand on their edges.

[0009] The filling device has an input interface, in particular an input opening, through which the containers to be filled with the value-document stack are fed (individually one after the other) into the filling device. The value-document stack can be fed manually or automatically. The filling device also has an output interface, in particular an output opening, through which the containers filled with the value-document stack are fed (individually one after the other) from the filling device after they have been filled.

[0010] In addition, the filling device also has a transport path, along which the containers can be transported from the input interface to the output interface, and the filling device also has a filling area, which is arranged between the input interface and the output interface in relation to the container transport path, and the containers (to be filled) input into the filling device can be positioned in the filling area respectively so as to fill the containers with valuable documents there.

[0011] In order to transport the containers through the filling device, the filling device has at least one transport device, which is designed to transport the containers input into the filling device for filling from the input interface along the transport path to the filling area, so as to be positioned in the filling area, and the transport device is also designed to transport the filled containers (after filling) further along the transport path from the filling area of ​​the filling device to the output interface. The control device of the filling device is designed to control the transport of the corresponding containers along the transport path by means of the transport device, in particular from the input interface to the filling area, and further from the filling area to the output interface.

[0012] Furthermore, the filling device or the value-document processing machine may also have a gripping device, which is provided for gripping a stack of value-documents, in particular a stack of value-documents deposited in the output area of ​​the value-document processing machine (respectively), and for removing the stack of value-documents from the output area and depositing it in a receiving section of a container positioned in the filling area of ​​the filling device, in order to fill the container with the stack of value-documents (and, if necessary, other stacks of value-documents). The above-mentioned control device of the filling device may be designed to control the depositing of the stack of value-documents into the container by means of the gripping device and, if necessary, the gripping of the stack of value-documents deposited in the output area. However, such a control of the gripping device may also be realized by other control devices, in particular gripper control devices, which are provided specifically for the gripping device and may be a component of the filling device.

[0013] By transporting the containers along the transport path from the input interface to the filling area and further from the filling area to the output interface in the filling device, the next container to be filled can be transported to the filling area at the same time as the previously filled container is transported away from the filling area. Thus, by transporting the next container to be filled, there is no need to wait for the previously filled container to be transported away. Overall, the invention enables a plurality of containers to be filled successively more quickly with value-document stacks.

[0014] The value-document processing machine has, for example, a storage bottom in the output region, on which a stack of value-documents output by the value-document processing machine, in particular a stacking wheel of the value-document processing machine, is deposited so as to be removed by means of a gripping device. Alternatively, the stack of value-documents can also be deposited on a lifting bottom arranged below the storage bottom, from which the stack of value-documents can then be removed by means of a gripping device.

[0015] The filling device can have a housing or a panel, which surrounds the transport path of the container. The input interface or the output interface is preferably designed as an input opening or an output opening of the housing or the panel of the filling device. Alternatively, the filling device can also be implemented without a housing or a panel, and the input interface or the output interface is not designed as an opening accordingly. The starting point or the end point of the transport path can form the input interface or the output interface, for example.

[0016] The control device of the filling device is preferably designed to control the transport device so that the container to be filled temporarily stays in the filling area until the gripping device deposits a plurality of value-document stacks in a plurality of receiving sections of the container. The control device and / or further control devices are particularly designed to control the gripping device and any transport device so that the gripping device fills the corresponding receiving section of the corresponding container with (only) exactly one value-document stack when filling the container.

[0017] The container can have at least two receiving sections along its longitudinal direction, and the control device and / or other control devices are designed to control the gripping device and, if necessary, the transport device, so that multiple stacks of valuable documents output by the valuable document processing machine (the multiple stacks of valuable documents are, for example, stored successively in the same output grid, such as a storage bottom or a lifting bottom) are stored in different receiving sections of the same container positioned in the filling area.

[0018] The control device can be designed to control the transport device so that (exactly) one receiving section of a container positioned in the filling area is arranged in a predetermined filling position of the filling area, said filling position being located in the filling area, and the control device can be designed to control the transport device so that the respective container positioned in the filling area is transported stepwise along the transport direction by means of the transport device so that different (e.g. two or more) receiving sections of the same container are arranged successively in the predetermined filling position and temporarily remain there until the gripping device deposits the value-document stack in the respective receiving section of the container. The control device can in particular control the transport device so that the respective container is stopped for the respective value-document stack as soon as the receiving section of the container provided for loading the respective value-document stack is in the filling position. By arranging the different receiving sections successively at the predetermined filling position, it is possible to use a technically simple gripper, since the gripper only has to be moved to a certain filling position without having to perform a translational movement in the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0019] The control device or another control device can be designed to control the gripping device in such a way that the gripping device deposits (places) the value-document stack into the corresponding receiving section when the corresponding receiving section of the container to be filled is (temporarily) arranged or held in a predetermined filling position.

[0020] If the stack of value-documents is always placed (loaded) into the corresponding container at the same filling position along the transport path, the gripping device can always deposit the stack of value-documents at the same position (predetermined filling position). Therefore, in order to deposit the stack of value-documents, only a pivoting movement and a translation in a single direction are required (for placing the stack of value-documents in the container and, if necessary, removing the stack of value-documents from the value-document processing machine), without an additional translation in a second direction oriented along the container. As a result, a simpler gripping device can be used.

[0021] The transport device has, for example, at least one first transport device and at least one second transport device, wherein the at least one first transport device is designed to transport containers input into the filling device for filling along a transport path from an input interface to a filling area (and thereby position them in the filling area), and the at least one second transport device is designed to transport the filled containers further along the transport path from the filling area of ​​the filling device to an output interface after filling. At least one first transport device is arranged in front of the filling area along the transport path and is only designed to transport containers (from the input interface) to the filling area, and is not designed to transport containers (towards the output interface) away from the filling area. At least one second transport device is arranged behind the filling area along the transport path and is only designed to transport containers (towards the output interface) away from the filling area, and is not designed to transport containers (from the input interface) to the filling area. Alternatively, the two transport tasks can also be undertaken by a single transport device (e.g. a T-shaped or conveyor belt), which may have a curve and a baffle for stopping at the filling position.

[0022] The transport device, in particular at least one first transport device, is preferably provided for transporting the respective container away from the input interface (out of the input interface) towards the value-document processing machine along an input transport direction in order to remove the container from the input interface. The transport device, in particular at least one second transport device, is preferably provided for transporting the respective container to the output interface (into the output interface) along an output transport direction (away from the value-document processing machine) in order to prepare the container for removal at the output interface.

[0023] The transport direction of the containers within the filling device preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the containers, along which the receiving sections of the containers are arranged, and along which the containers are transported in order to arrange different container receiving sections of the containers at the filling position. In particular, the inlet transport direction and the outlet transport direction of the containers are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the containers, along which the receiving sections of the containers are arranged.

[0024] The transport path of the container in the filling device particularly has an input section and an output section, the input section extending from the input interface to the filling area and having different subsections when necessary, and the output section extending from the filling area to the output interface and having different subsections when necessary. The input section and the output section are particularly arranged in the filling device as follows so that they are separated from each other or do not overlap each other. The corresponding container is transported via the input section by means of a transport device and transported to the output interface via the output section. The corresponding container is particularly transported along the input transport direction via the input section or via the first subsection of the input section starting at the input interface, and transported to the output interface via the output section or the last subsection of the output section along the output transport direction. The output transport direction preferably extends substantially opposite to the input transport direction. This produces a more compact structure of the filling device.

[0025] The input section preferably has at least the length of the container to be filled along the transport path or along the input transport direction, and / or the output section has at least the length of the container to be filled along the transport path or along the output transport direction. It is achieved that the next container to be filled can be temporarily stored in the input section while the previous container is still being filled, or when the next container to be filled is already transported in the filling area, the filled container can be further transported to the output section and temporarily stored there. The input section then forms a buffer storage for the container to be filled, which makes it possible to input the next container into the filling device as early as possible while the previous container is still being filled. And the output section then forms a buffer storage for the filled container, which makes it possible to take or remove the filled container from the filling device later when the previous container has been filled. Therefore, the operator of the filling device does not have to input or remove the container at the exact time preset by the filling device, but can input or remove it flexibly in time.

[0026] The filling region preferably has an input side, at which the input section ends, and an output side, which is different from the input side (eg, opposite the input side), and at which the output section begins.

[0027] In particular, the containers to be filled are transported on the input section only before they are filled by the filling device (not after they are filled), and the containers filled with stacks of value documents are transported on the output section only after they are filled by the filling device (not before they are filled). The next container to be filled can already be positioned on the input side of the filling area when the previous container is filled, and the next container can be transported to the filling area at the same time as the just filled container is transported away, i.e., it is not necessary to wait until the previously filled container has been transported away before introducing the container to be filled into the filling area. This achieves a particularly high throughput when filling containers by the filling device.

[0028] The input section or at least one subsection of the input section, in particular the first subsection of the input section starting at the input interface, is preferably arranged vertically and / or horizontally offset and in particular directly adjacent to the filling area and / or the output section or at least one subsection of the output section, in particular the subsection of the output section ending at the output interface. This achieves good operability of the filling device, since an operator can input containers to be filled into the filling device and remove filled containers from the filling device in the same operating process.

[0029] The transport directions of the containers in the input section and the output section preferably extend at least partially in opposite directions parallel to one another. This results in a more compact design of the filling device. The input section or at least one subsection of the input section, in particular the first subsection starting at the input interface, and the output section or at least one subsection of the output section, in particular the subsection of the output section ending at the output interface, extend parallel to one another (in opposite transport directions).

[0030] In some embodiments, the transport path of the container in the filling device has a connecting section, in which the transport direction of the container extends transversely or perpendicularly to the input transport direction and / or the output transport direction of the container. The connecting section can be a subsection of the input section or a subsection of the output section. The transport direction of the container in the connecting section extends in particular towards the front of the value-document processing machine, for example towards the operator side thereof.

[0031] In some embodiments, the transport path of the container from the input interface to the output interface extends continuously and substantially horizontally. The container can be transported more easily because no transport device is required for vertical transport. The input section and the output section are, for example, horizontally adjacent, and the transport directions of the containers in the input section and the output section extend parallel to each other, at least partially oppositely.

[0032] The transport path of the containers in the filling device can be designed such that the containers are deflected twice on their transport path from the inlet connection to the outlet connection, preferably by a total of 180°, for example twice by 90° (horizontally or vertically).

[0033] The filling area can be located in particular on the return path of the container from the valuable-document processing machine to the output interface or at the beginning of this return path, or on the forward path from the input interface to the valuable-document processing machine or at the end of this forward path. The starting point of the return path or the end point of the forward path can be at the point of the transport path that is closest to the valuable-document processing machine, for example at the connecting section.

[0034] In one embodiment, the filling area is arranged after the connecting section along the transport path and is located on the return path of the container from the value-document processing machine to the output interface. The container is horizontally deflected twice by 90° in sequence on the input section between the input interface and the filling area.

[0035] In one embodiment, the filling area is arranged before the connecting section along the transport path and is located on the forward path of the container from the input interface to the value-document processing machine. The container is horizontally deflected twice by 90° on the output section, between the filling area and the output interface.

[0036] In other embodiments, the input section and the output section at least partially overlap vertically, and the transport directions of the containers in the input section and the output section extend at least partially in opposite directions parallel to one another. The filling device requires less space in the transverse direction, i.e. on the operator side of the value-document processing machine. The filling area is preferably arranged in an upper region of the filling device, which is above the output section or the input section.

[0037] In one of the other embodiments, at least one subsection of the input section in the lower region of the filling device is located below the output section, and the transport direction in this subsection of the input section runs parallel and opposite to the transport direction in the output section. A connecting section of the input section connects the lower region and the upper region of the filling device, in which the transport direction of the containers runs vertically or obliquely upwards. The filling region and the output section are located in the upper region of the filling device.

[0038] In one of the other embodiments, the input section and the filling area are located in the upper area of ​​the filling device, and at least one connecting section of the output section connects the upper area and the lower area of ​​the filling device, in which connecting section the transport direction of the containers runs vertically or obliquely downward. The following subsection of the output section is located below the input section in the lower area of ​​the filling device, and the transport direction of the subsection runs parallel to and opposite to the transport direction in the input section.

[0039] In order to be able to grip stacks of value-documents of significantly different sizes and to place them in the container, different opening widths of the gripping device can be provided for the movement of the gripping elements of the gripping device away from one another (separation from one another).

[0040] When using different containers, whose receiving sections have different positions and / or different lengths in the longitudinal direction of the container, the control device or another control device can provide information about the predetermined position and, if necessary, the length of the receiving section, which depends on the container type. The information about the container type of the respective container to be filled can be preset on the filling device or input by an operator (if necessary, individually for the container) or automatically determined by the control device or another control device based on identification data of the container (if necessary, individually for the container). The control device then controls the opening width of the gripping element depending on the container type and, if necessary, the receiving section to be filled (if there are known receiving sections of different sizes for the container type).

[0041] The control device or another control device can be designed to determine storage section information about the storage section of the container to be filled, which information relates in particular to the position and / or length of the storage section along the container. The length can correspond, for example, to the maximum number of value documents that can be accommodated in the respective storage section. The storage section information can be determined, for example, based on identification data of the container, or based on the position of the storage section determined by sensors of the filling device, or based on container information provided by an operator of the filling device.

[0042] The control device or another control device can be designed to transmit the (if necessary individualized) receiving section information of the respective container to the value-document processing machine from whose output section the value-document stack is removed. The value-document processing machine of the value-document processing device can be designed in particular to control the number, in particular the maximum number, of value documents placed for the respective receiving section of the respective container in the value-document stack placed in the output area of ​​the value-document processing machine as a function of the receiving section information of the respective receiving section determined by the filling device.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the control device or another control device can be designed to control the opening width of the gripping element of the gripping device according to the receiving section information when gripping the value-document stack, in particular when removing the value-document stack from the value-document processing machine or placing the value-document stack into the container. The gripping device can be controlled in such a way that its gripping element has different opening widths for different receiving sections and / or different container types.

[0044] In order to determine the storage section information, the filling device can

[0045] - has at least one reading device for determining the identification data of the respective container (e.g. a barcode reader arranged at the container input section or which can be operated manually), and the control device / another control device provides information (e.g. a table) about the position and, if necessary, the length of the receiving section as a function of the identification data and is designed to determine the receiving section information of the respective container as a function of the identification data of the respective container to be filled, and / or

[0046] - a sensor is arranged at the input section of the filling device so that when the container is located in the input section, the sensor can determine the position of the receiving section or the position of the dividing element which divides the container into receiving sections, and the control device / other control device is designed to determine the receiving section information of the container to be filled respectively as a function of the position of the receiving section or the dividing element determined by the at least one sensor, and / or

[0047] - obtaining information about the container type of the container / containers to be filled (which can be adjusted by an operator of the filling device, for example for multiple containers), wherein the position and the length of the receiving section are identical and predetermined for all containers of the same container type, and the control device / other control device provides information about the predetermined position and, if necessary, the length of the receiving section depending on the container type (such as a table) and is designed to determine the receiving section information of the container depending on the container type of the container to be filled respectively.

[0048] The invention also relates to a method for filling a container with a stack of valuable documents by means of a filling device, in particular by means of the filling device described above, wherein the filling device has an input interface (e.g. an input opening) through which the container to be filled with the stack of valuable documents is (individually and successively) input into the filling device, the filling device also has an output interface (e.g. an output opening) and a transport path along which the container can be transported from the input interface to the output interface, the filling device also has a filling area arranged between the input interface and the output interface with respect to the container transport path, and at least one transport device, which is designed to transport the container input into the filling device for filling along the transport path from the input interface to the filling area, and (after filling) to transport the container further along the transport path from the filling area of ​​the filling device to the output interface. In the method, the following steps are performed:

[0049] - feeding the container into the input interface of the filling device,

[0050] - transporting the input container along a transport path from an input interface of the filling device to a filling area by means of a transport device of the filling device,

[0051] - filling a container positioned in the filling region with at least one stack of value-documents by means of a gripping device, which is provided for gripping (individually) a stack of value-documents and placing the gripped stack of value-documents into a receiving section of the container positioned in the filling region of the filling device in order to fill the container with the stack of value-documents and, if necessary, with further stacks of value-documents,

[0052] - transporting the containers filled with at least one stack of value-documents from the filling region of the filling device to the discharge interface by means of the transport device in order to discharge the containers filled with the stack of value-documents (individually one after the other) from the filling device via the discharge interface.

[0053] The gripping device can be a component of the filling device, can also be a component of the value-document processing machine, can also be a device designed separately from the filling device and the value-document processing machine, for example a robot gripping device. The gripping device can be arranged to remove the value-document stack (to be gripped) from the value-document processing machine, in particular from an output area of ​​the value-document processing machine, in which the (corresponding) value-document stack is stored. Alternatively or additionally, the gripping device can be arranged to remove the value-document stack to be gripped from another storage section where the value-document stack is stored or from another container in which the value-document stack to be gripped is contained.

[0054] The present invention also relates to a valuable document processing device for processing valuable documents, in particular banknotes. The valuable document processing device has a valuable document processing machine, which is used to process, in particular check valuable documents, and to sort valuable documents when necessary, and the valuable document processing machine is configured to output a valuable document stack of processed valuable documents in an output area of ​​the valuable document processing machine, and to store the valuable document stack in the output area when necessary. The valuable document processing device also has one or more of the above-mentioned filling devices, which are used to fill a container with the valuable document stack output from the valuable document processing machine. The filling device / these filling devices can be moved to the valuable document processing machine, and / or docked at the valuable document processing machine, and / or fixed at the valuable document processing machine.

[0055] The value document is for example a banknote, however the invention relates to any type of value document.

[0056] Other advantages, features and applications of the present invention may be derived from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0057] Figure 1a An embodiment of a value-document processing device having a value-document processing machine and a filling device is shown,

[0058] Figure 1b -c shows that the area of ​​the filling device is covered ( Figure 1b) and uncovered ( Figure 1c ),

[0059] Figure 2a -c shows the transport of a value-document stack from the value-document processing machine to the filling device by means of a gripping device of the filling device,

[0060] Figure 3a -h shows the stepwise horizontal movement of the banknote container through the filling device of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 and the placement of a stack of banknotes into the banknote container,

[0061] Figure 4a -d In top view ( Figure 4a , Figure 4b ) and side view ( Figure 4c , Figure 4d ) shows four further exemplary embodiments of a filling device having container transport paths extending in different ways.

[0062] Figure 1a The value-document processing device 100 according to one embodiment is shown. The value-document processing device 100 has a value-document processing machine 60 for processing value documents, in particular for sorting, counting and / or checking value documents, which is provided for providing the filling device 1 with processed value documents or, if necessary, outputting processed value documents in one of the output compartments 63, 64 of the value-document processing machine. The value documents can be automatically placed in the input compartment 61 of the value-document processing machine 60 by means of an input module 10, in which the value documents are removed from the value-document container in stacks. The value-document processing device 100 can be used, for example, in a cash center.

[0063] The banknotes provided in the input compartment 61 of the value-document processing machine 60 are removed individually from the input compartment by means of a sorter and transported past one or more sensors (not shown) along a transport path in the value-document processing machine 60. Physical properties of the value documents are detected and converted into corresponding sensor signals, which are used by the control and analysis device of the value-document processing machine 60 to identify and check the value documents, for example, in terms of quality, denomination, authenticity or condition. The switches arranged along the transport path are controlled in such a way that, depending on the result of the identification or checking, the value documents are transported to different output compartments 63, 64 or to the filling device 1, where they are automatically placed in the value-document container. For example, a bundling device and / or a packaging device for the already formed value-document stack can be connected to the output compartments 63, 64.

[0064] The valuable documents transported to the filling device 1 can be, for example, rejected valuable documents rejected by the device 60 during the inspection, while the valuable documents accepted during the inspection are placed in the output compartments 63, 64. Alternatively, the banknotes accepted during the inspection can be transported to the filling device 1. It is also possible to install multiple filling devices 1 at the valuable document processing machine 60.

[0065] Before the output compartments 63, 64 and in the output region 62 of the valuable-document processing machine 60 upstream of the filling device 1, there is a stacking wheel 65 in each case in the valuable-document processing machine 60, by means of which the banknotes are stacked for output. In the output region 62 of the valuable-document processing machine 60 upstream of the filling device 1, there is a storage bottom 20 (see FIG. Figure 1c ), the banknotes are stacked into a banknote stack on the storage bottom, for example, by stacking wheels 65. In the example shown, after the banknote stack has been formed, the storage bottom 20 is retracted back into the device 60 so that the banknote stack is detached at the rear wall 21 behind the storage bottom 20 and the banknote stack is thus placed from the storage bottom 20 onto a movable lifting bottom 22 arranged below the storage bottom.

[0066] The banknote stack 40 thus formed is moved downwards by means of the lifting base 22 and is thus made available for removal by the gripping device 30 of the filling device 1, see Figure 2a Alternatively, however, the storage bottom 20 itself can also be moved downwards in order to provide the banknote stack 40 for removal by the gripping device 30 of the filling device 1 (without the need for lifting the bottom 22 ).

[0067] The filling device 1 is used to fill the value-document containers 5 with the banknote stacks 40 provided in the output area 62 of the device 60. For this purpose, the value-document containers 5 to be filled (empty or partially filled) are manually or automatically introduced into the filling device at an input interface 2 of the filling device designed as an input opening, see Figure 1c The container 5 is divided into a plurality of receiving sections by a partition element 6, see Figure 3a . The input container 5 is then transported to the filling area 3 of the filling device 1 by means of the transport devices 7 and 8 of the filling device, in which the container 5 is filled with a stack of banknotes 40. After filling, the filling device transports the container 5 filled with the stack of banknotes 40 from the filling area 3 to the output interface 4 of the filling device, which is designed as an output opening, by means of a further transport device 9, so as to provide the container 5 for manual removal from the filling device 1 or for automatic removal of the filled container by means of a conveyor belt. The container 5 is moved through the filling device in a controlled manner by means of a control device 80, see Figure 1c .

[0068] The gripping device 30 is controlled by a control device 70 and has two gripping elements 31, 32 which can be moved away from each other and towards each other by means of a motor in order to grip a corresponding stack of value documents between the two gripping elements 31, 32. The gripping device 30 grips a stack of banknotes 40 placed on the lifting base 22 between its gripping elements 31, 32 (see Figure 2a ) and remove the banknote stack 40 from the lifting bottom 22. By means of a downward pivoting movement (by rotating about the axis A), see Figure 2b The gripping device 30 moves the banknote stack 40 into a lowered position, which is located directly above the filling position 13 of the value-document container 5 arranged in the filling area 3, see Figure 2c Previously, that receiving section 6a of the value-document container into which the bank-note stack is to be placed is positioned in the filling position 13, see Figure 3e , 3f .

[0069] The gripping device is then lowered from the lowered position downwardly into the receiving section 6a of the value-document container by means of the linear drive 34, see Figure 2c , wherein the two gripping elements 31, 32 extend into the receiving section 6a together with the banknote stack 40. The lowering movement stops and the two gripping elements 31, 32 open slightly to release the banknote stack 40 and thereby place the banknote stack in the receiving section 6a of the value-document container 5, see Figure 3f The gripping device is then moved upwards again out of the container 5 and is provided for placement in the next banknote stack 40 which is then placed on the lifting base 22. The next banknote stack is placed in a similar manner in the other receiving sections 6b-f of the value-document container 5.

[0070] When the banknote 40 is released, the gripping elements 31, 32 move away from each other to an opening width which is equal to or slightly smaller than the length of the corresponding receiving section 6a-f in the longitudinal direction of the container 5. The partition element 6 present in the container 5 (see Figure 3a ) can have a recess on its side facing the inserted banknote stack, into which the gripping elements 31 , 32 can project in order to release the value-document stack, wherein the gripping elements should at most only lightly contact the recess.

[0071] In order to be able to place value-document stacks 40 of different sizes into receiving sections of different sizes, different opening widths can be set for the movement of the gripping elements 31, 32 away from each other when releasing the corresponding stack 40. For example, it can be provided that a plurality of receiving sections of different lengths can be used in the same or different containers 5. The control device 70 of the gripping device then controls the movement of the gripping elements 31, 32 away from each other so that when releasing the value-document stack, the opening width is adapted to the length of the corresponding receiving section. When releasing the stack 40, the opening width is preferably selected so that the gripping elements 31, 32 do not collide with the partition element 6 of the container 5 when moving away from each other. The opening width of the gripping element can be changed continuously or discontinuously. For example, the opening width can be continuously changed by a stepper motor for moving the gripping elements 31, 32. However, in the embodiment described, the gripping device 30 is preset with a discrete number of opening widths by means of a plurality of mechanical plungers which mechanically limit the movement of the gripping elements 31, 32 away from each other when the stack 40 is released, and the position of the mechanical plungers is controlled by means of the stop magnets 33 by the control device 70, see Figure 2a .

[0072] For a plurality of containers of the same type, the position of the partitioning element 6 along the respective container 5 can be identical and predetermined for the respective container type. When using different container types, the control device 70 can, for example, provide information about the predetermined position of the partitioning element 6 or the receiving section depending on the container type and, if necessary, also about the length of the receiving section, for example in the form of a table. The information required for this purpose about the container type of the respective container to be filled can be preset at the filling device or input by an operator or automatically determined by the control device 70 based on the identification data of the container 5. The control device 70 then controls the opening width of the gripping element depending on the container type and, if necessary, on the receiving section to be filled (if there are known receiving sections of different sizes for the container type).

[0073] In order to determine the identification data of the respective container 5, the filling device 1 can have a reading device (not shown), for example a barcode reader, a two-dimensional code reader or an RFID reader, in the region of the input interface 2, which is provided for reading the identification data of the container 5 input into the filling device. The identification data of the container can be machine-readable, for example applied to the container as a numerical sequence or a barcode, or stored on a wirelessly readable transponder of the container 5, such as an RFID tag.

[0074] If no container type is predetermined, or the respective container does not belong to the predetermined container type, the position and length of the receiving section or the separating element can also be determined individually for the respective container 5. For this purpose, the filling device 1 can optionally have one or more light barriers (not shown) in the input section 12a, see Figure 3e , the light barrier is arranged above the input section, so that, for example, before or during transport along the input section, it is possible to check the presence and position of the partition element 6 in the container 5 located in the input section. The control device 70 can then determine the length of the receiving section of the container by calculating the difference in the position coordinates of the partition element 6 along the longitudinal direction of the container and control the opening width of the gripping elements 31, 32 accordingly.

[0075] The control device 70 can determine, for example, receiving section information about the length of the receiving section of the respective container or the maximum number of value documents for the respective receiving section as a function of the (predetermined or individually determined) position of the receiving section or the separating element 6, and transmit this receiving section information to the value-document processing machine 60. Based on the receiving section information of the respective receiving section determined by the control device 70, the value-document processing machine 60 can control the number of value documents for the respective receiving section of the respective container in the value-document stack 40 placed in the output region 62 of the value-document processing machine.

[0076] The control device 70 determines the length of the receiving section of the container, in particular as a function of the position of the receiving section or the separating element, and thereby determines the maximum number of value documents (maximum value) that the corresponding value-document stack stored on the storage bottom can have, thereby adapting the value-document stack to the corresponding receiving section 6a-f. For this purpose, a table can be stored in the control device 70, which specifies the maximum number of value documents as a function of the length of the receiving section, for example 20 cm = 1000 value documents, 10 cm = 500 value documents, etc. Alternatively, the maximum number of value documents of the corresponding stack 40 can also be determined by the value-document processing machine 60 as a function of the position of the receiving section or the separating element or the length of the receiving section transmitted to the value-document processing machine.

[0077] Figure 3a -h shows step by step the horizontal movement of the banknote container 5 through the filling device 1 and the placement of the banknote stack 40 into the different receiving sections 6a, 6b of the value-document container 5. First, an empty banknote container 5 is fed into the filling device 1 at the input interface 2, see Figure 3a , 3b The first subsection 12a of the input section 12a - b , which begins at the input connection 2 , is arranged here horizontally offset relative to the output section 14 and directly adjacent thereto.

[0078] In the described embodiment, the transport device of the filling device 1 has a horizontally movable slide 7, which can be moved (and returned) along the input transport direction y by means of a drive device at least on a subsection 12a of the input section. The slide 7 is designed to accommodate a container (for example, a container bottom or a container side). The slide has, for example, a flat receiving portion, on which the container can be placed, and the slide also has a stop portion, if necessary, to which the placed container can be pushed, so that the container reaches a specified position relative to the slide 7. The banknote container 5 is automatically or manually pushed to the stop portion of the slide 7 and, if necessary, is hung there. If necessary, the slide 7 can be manually pressed downward to an initial position, in which a switch is operated, which signalizes that the container has been successfully fed into the filling device 1. The control device 80 controls the slide 7 so that the slide transports the container 5 along the input section 12a in the y direction to the valuable document processing machine 60 until the container 5 engages with the transverse transport support 8, see Figure 3c .

[0079] The transverse transport support 8 can be horizontally translated (x direction) transversely or perpendicularly to the input transport direction by means of a support drive. The transverse transport support is designed to accommodate one or more side walls of the container. The container is transported along the connecting section 12b by means of the transverse transport support 8, see Figure 3d The transverse transport support 8 is then moved back to its initial position.

[0080] After the transverse movement, the container 5 is then transported by means of the conveyor belt 9 along the input section 12c counter to the input transport direction to the filling area 3 and stops there, see Figure 3e The container is positioned in this case such that the receiving section 6a to be filled is arranged at the predetermined filling position 13. Figure 2a -c The banknote stack 40 is removed from the value-document processing device 60 by means of the gripping device 30 and placed in the receiving section 6a, see Figure 3f Alternatively, other transport devices, such as transport rollers or a plurality of transport belts, can also be used instead of the slide 7 or the transport belt 9 or the transverse transport support 8 .

[0081] The container 5 then continues to move until the receiving section 6b is positioned at the filling position 13, see Figure 3g . Then, if combined Figure 2a -c The next bank-note stack 40 from the value-document processing machine 60 is placed in the receiving section 6b, see Figure 3h In this way, the receiving sections 6a - f are filled successively with stacks of bank notes.

[0082] Since the different receiving sections 6a-f are transported step by step to the same filling position 13, the gripping device 30 does not need to be moved to different filling positions, but can always be moved to the same predetermined filling position 13 to fill the different receiving sections 6a-f. As a result, the gripper movement is less complex and the space requirement is therefore smaller. When all receiving sections or a predetermined number of receiving sections of the container 5 are filled, the container 5 is transported along the output transport direction (-y) along the output section 14 to the output interface 4 and can be removed there manually or automatically.

[0083] Figure 4a -d schematically show different embodiments of filling devices 1 , the transport paths of the containers 5 through the respective filling devices 1 extending differently.

[0084] Figure 4a The embodiment has Figure 3a -h shows a transport path similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , but wherein the third input section 12c is discarded. The transport path of the container extending from the input interface 2 to the output interface 4 extends substantially continuously horizontally. The first subsection 12a of the input section 12a-b starting at the input interface 2 is arranged to be horizontally offset relative to the output section 14 and directly adjacent. The connecting section 12b extends along the operator side (-x direction) of the valuable document processing machine 60 transversely or perpendicularly to the input transport direction (y) or the output transport direction (-y) of the container. The filling area 3 is arranged after the connecting section 12b along the transport path. As described in conjunction with Figures 2 and 3, the container is gradually filled in the filling area 3. The return path of the container from the valuable document processing machine to the output interface starts from the filling area 3. The container 5 is horizontally deflected twice by 90° in succession on its transport path from the input interface 2 to the output interface 4.

[0085] exist Figure 4b In the embodiment of the invention, the transport path of the containers from the input interface to the output interface also extends continuously and substantially horizontally. The input section 12 starting at the input interface 2 is also arranged horizontally offset relative to the output section 14 or its subsection 14b and directly adjacent, and the connecting section 14a extends transversely or perpendicularly to the input transport direction or the output transport direction of the containers along the operator side (x direction) of the value-document processing machine 60. However, in contrast to Figure 4a The filling area 3 is arranged along the transport path before the connecting section 14a. The filling area 3 is located at the end of the path of the container from the input interface 2 to the value-document processing machine 60. As described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the container is horizontally deflected twice by 90° one after another on its transport path from the input interface 2 to the output interface 4 and is filled step by step in the filling area 3.

[0086] exist Figure 4c , 4d In the embodiment shown, the input section and the output section also extend at least partially parallel to one another, with opposite transport directions. Figure 4a and Figure 4b The difference between the embodiments is that in Figure 4c , Figure 4d In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the input section 12 or 12a and the output section 14b or 14a at least partially overlap vertically. This allows a space-saving design of the filling device 1 in the transverse direction (x direction) in front of the banknote processing machine 60. The filling area 3 is arranged in the upper region of the filling device 1 or the vertical arrangement, so that the gripping device 30 can place the banknote stack into the container 5 from above. The container 5 is deflected twice in succession on its transport path from the input interface 2 to the output interface 4 by a total of 180°.

[0087] exist Figure 4c In the embodiment shown, at least the subsection 12a of the input section located in the lower region of the filling device 1 is located below the output section 14, wherein the transport direction extends in parallel and opposite to the output section. The connecting section 12b of the input section connects the lower region and the upper region of the filling device, in which (z direction) the transport direction of the container extends vertically or obliquely upward. The filling area 3 and the output section 14 are located in the upper region of the filling device. The return path of the container from the valuable document processing machine 60 to the output interface 4 is connected to the filling area 3. The input interface 2 is arranged in the lower region of the filling device. Along the transport path, the container first passes through the horizontal section 12a of the input section, and then passes through the vertically / obliquely upwardly directed connecting section 12b, and then arrives in the filling area 3 in the upper region of the filling device, if necessary after other horizontal subsections. As described in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3 , after the stepwise filling has taken place there, the containers 5 are then transported through the discharge section 14 , which is located above the horizontal subsection 12 a of the input section, and from there to the discharge connection 4 .

[0088] exist Figure 4dIn the embodiment of the present invention, the input section 12 and the filling area 3 are located in the upper area of ​​the filling device 1, and the connecting section 14a of the output section connects the upper area and the lower area of ​​the filling device, in which the transport direction of the container extends vertically or obliquely downward (z direction). The filling area 3 is located at the end of the forward path of the container from the input interface 2 to the valuable document processing machine 60. The subsection 14b of the output section following the connecting section 14a is located in the lower area of ​​the filling device and extends below the input section, wherein the transport direction extends parallel to the input section in the opposite direction. As described in conjunction with Figures 2 and 3, along the transport path, the container first passes through the horizontally extending input section 12 of the upper area of ​​the filling device 1 after the input interface 2, and then arrives in the filling area 3 in the upper area of ​​the filling device, and is gradually filled in the filling area 3. The containers 5 are then transported vertically / inclined downwards through a connecting section 14 a of the discharge section after any further horizontal subsections of the discharge section and through a horizontal section 14 b of the discharge section below the input section 12 and are thus transported to the discharge connection 4 .

Claims

1. A filling device (1) for filling a container (5) with a stack of value-documents (2), the stack of value-documents being in particular a stack of value-documents output by a value-document processing machine (60) in an output region (62) of the value-document processing machine, wherein: The containers each have one or more receiving sections which are each designed to receive a stack of value-documents, wherein the filling device has: an input interface (2), via which the containers to be filled with value-document stacks are fed into the filling device, an output interface (4), via which the containers filled with value-document stacks are output from the filling device, a transport path along which the container can be transported from the input interface to the output interface, a filling area (3) in which the containers fed into the filling device can each be positioned in order to fill them with a stack of value-documents, - optionally also comprising a gripping device (30) which is designed to grip a stack of valuable documents (40), in particular a stack of valuable documents (40) stored in an output area (62) of a valuable document processing machine, and to deposit the stack of valuable documents in a receiving section (6a-f) of a container (5) positioned in a filling area (3) of the filling device (1), in order to fill the container with the stack of valuable documents and, if necessary, further stacks of valuable documents, at least one transport device (7, 8, 9) which is arranged to transport containers introduced into the filling device for filling from an input interface (2) along a transport path to a filling area (3), and which is designed to transport the filled containers after filling further along the transport path from the filling area of ​​the filling device to an output interface (4), - A control device (80) designed to control the transport of corresponding containers along a transport path by means of a transport device, wherein the control device or, if necessary, other control devices (70) are designed to control the gripping of a stack of valuable documents (40), in particular a stack of valuable documents (40) stored in an output area (62), by means of a gripping device (30), and to control the storage of the stack of valuable documents (40) in a container (5) by means of the gripping device (30).

2. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The control device (80) is designed to control the transport device so that the container to be filled temporarily remains in the filling area (3) until the gripping device deposits a plurality of value-document stacks in a plurality of receiving sections of the container.

3. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container has at least two receiving sections, and the control device (80) and, if necessary, other control devices (70) are designed to control a gripping device and, if necessary, a transport device so that a plurality of value-document stacks output by a value-document processing machine are stored successively in different receiving sections of the same container positioned in the filling area.

4. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control device (80) is designed to: - controlling the transport devices (7, 8, 9) so that the receiving sections of the containers positioned in the filling area are respectively arranged at predetermined filling positions (13) of the filling area (3), and - Controlling the transport device (9) so that the corresponding containers positioned in the filling area are transported step by step along the transport direction by means of the transport device (7, 8, 9), so that different receiving sections of the same container are arranged in succession in predetermined filling positions (13) and temporarily stay there until the gripping device deposits the stacks of valuable documents in the corresponding receiving sections of the container.

5. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The transport device (7, 8, 9) comprises, for example, at least one first transport device and at least one second transport device, wherein at least one first transport device (7, 8) is designed to transport containers input into the filling device for filling along a transport path from an input interface (2) to a filling area (3), and at least one second transport device (9) is designed to transport the filled containers after filling further along the transport path from the filling area of ​​the filling device to an output interface (4).

6. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: A transport device, in particular at least one first transport device (7, 8), is provided for transporting corresponding containers from an input interface (2) to a valuable-document processing machine (60) along an input transport direction, and a transport device (7, 8, 9), in particular at least one second transport device (9), is provided for transporting corresponding containers away from the valuable-document processing machine (60) to an output interface (4) along an output transport direction.

7. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The transport path of the container in the filling device comprises an input section (12, 12a-c) extending from an input interface (2) to a filling area (3), and an output section (14, 14a-b) extending from the filling area (3) to an output interface (4), wherein the input section and the output section are arranged in the filling device in particular such that they are separated from one another.

8. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein An input section (12, 12a-c) or at least one subsection of an input section (12, 12a-c), in particular a first subsection (12a) starting at an input interface, is arranged vertically and / or horizontally offset and preferably directly adjacent to a filling area (3) and / or to an output section (14, 14a-b) or at least one subsection of an output section (14b), in particular a subsection (14b) of the output section ending at an output interface.

9. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The transport path of the container in the filling device has a connecting section (12b, 14a), in which the transport direction of the container is transverse to or perpendicular to the input transport direction and / or output transport direction of the container, wherein the connecting section (12b, 14a) extends in particular along the front side of the valuable document processing machine (60).

10. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The transport directions of the containers in the input section and the output section extend at least partially in opposite directions and parallel to each other, wherein the transport path of the containers in the filling device is preferably designed so that the containers are deflected twice on their transport path from the input interface to the output interface, preferably a total of 180°, in particular twice by 90°.

11. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The transport path of the containers from the input interface to the output interface extends continuously and substantially horizontally, and / or wherein, The input section and the output section are at least partially adjacent to each other horizontally and extend at least partially parallel to each other.

12. The filling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The input section and the output section at least partially overlap vertically and extend at least partially parallel to one another.

13. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein A filling device, in particular a control device (80) or another control device (70), is designed to determine storage section information about a storage section of a container to be filled, the storage section information being particularly related to a position and / or a length of the storage section along the container, and, if necessary, transmitting the storage section information to a valuable document processing machine, wherein the control device (80) or the other control device (70) is particularly designed to control the opening width of the gripping elements (31, 32) of the gripping device (30) according to the storage section information when gripping a stack of valuable documents.

14. A value-document processing device (100) for processing value documents (15), in particular banknotes, comprising: a value-document processing machine (60) for processing, in particular checking, and, if necessary, sorting value documents, which is arranged to output a value-document stack (40) of processed value documents in an output area (62) of the value-document processing machine, and - A filling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, which is provided for filling containers (5) with value-document stacks (40) output by a value-document processing machine (60).

15. A method for filling a container (5) with a stack (40) of value-documents by means of a filling device (1), in particular by means of a filling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The filling device has an input interface (2), via which containers to be filled with value-document stacks can be fed into the filling device, an output interface (4), via which the containers filled with value-document stacks are output from the filling device, a transport path along which the container can be transported from the input interface to the output interface, a filling area (3) arranged between the input connection and the output connection with reference to the transport path of the container, at least one transport device (7, 8, 9) designed to transport containers introduced into the filling device for filling from the input interface (2) along a transport path to the filling area (3), and further designed to transport the filled containers after filling further along the transport path from the filling area of ​​the filling device to the output interface (4), The method comprises the following steps: - feeding the container into the input interface (2) of the filling device, - transporting the input container (5) from the input interface of the filling device (1) along a transport path to the filling area (3) by means of a transport device of the filling device, - filling a container (5) positioned in a filling area with at least one stack of valuable documents (40) by means of a gripping device, the gripping device being arranged to grip the stack of valuable documents (40) and, if necessary, to remove the stack of valuable documents from the output area of ​​the valuable document processing machine and to deposit the stack of valuable documents in a receiving section (6a-f) of a container (5) positioned in the filling area (3) of the filling device (1) in order to fill the container with the stack of valuable documents and, if necessary, with further stacks of valuable documents, - transporting the container (5) filled with at least one value-document stack (40) from the filling area of ​​the filling device to the discharge interface (4) by means of a transport device of the filling device, in order to discharge the container filled with the value-document stack from the filling device via the discharge interface (4).

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