Paper discharging and stacking device and circulating type paper processing device

Abstract

The invention provides a paper discharging and stacking device and a circulating type paper processing device, which can prevent paper discharged from a circulating unit from causing poor stacking on a dispensing tray. The paper discharging and stacking device is provided with a discharging and conveying path (510) which conveys the paper discharged from the circulation units (30) and (40) to the discharging tray (700) with the short side as the front end; and a molding mechanism (550) that molds the paper conveyed on the discharge conveyance path into a short-side shape, forms the short-side shape into a predetermined shape in the entire long-side direction, and then discharges the paper onto the discharge tray.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a paper discharging and stacking device and a circulating paper processing device. Background Art

[0002] As a banknote processing device equipped in a banknote operating device such as a vending machine that has the function of providing various items and services by accepting inserted banknotes, a game medium lending machine in a game hall, a ticket machine, a cash deposit and withdrawal device, and an exchange machine, there is known a circulating type that can receive, store and pay out banknotes of various denominations.

[0003] The circulating-type banknote handling apparatus is equipped with a banknote storage unit for storing banknotes prepared in advance for disbursement and banknotes inserted during operation in a state of denomination or mixed denominations.

[0004] The banknote storage unit includes: a circulating banknote storage unit that stores banknotes and pays them out as change; and a recovery banknote storage unit (recovery box) that recovers all banknotes in the banknote processing device when closing business.

[0005] As a circulating-type banknote storage unit, a type is known in which banknotes are stored between winding belts that are spirally (helically) overlapped and wound around the outer peripheral surface of a circulating drum, as in the "banknote handling device" of Patent Document 1.

[0006] In addition, the device described in this document has only one deposit and withdrawal unit, and deposit banknotes and withdrawal banknotes (banknotes for change) are deposited into the machine from this deposit and withdrawal unit, and withdrawal banknotes are withdrawn from the machine.

[0007] When the banknotes stacked on the outer surface of the circulation drum with overlapping tapes are used for payment, the circulation drum is rotated in the payment direction, and each tape is sent out in the payment direction, so that the banknotes on the outer periphery of the circulation drum are sent out one by one, temporarily stored in a state of overlapping on the outer periphery of the banknote retaining drum, and then paid out toward the cash in and out section.

[0008] Furthermore, the paper handling device described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 6450041) features a separate outlet for dispensing change from the deposit and withdrawal slots for banknotes. This outlet is dispensed directly from the circulating banknote storage unit. In this configuration, when multiple banknotes are dispensed as change, the banknotes are dispensed one by one from the circulating banknote storage unit to the outlet. After the user removes the first banknote, subsequent banknotes are dispensed sequentially. However, this type of device requires a longer time to dispense all banknotes, increasing the burden on the user and reducing the device's operational efficiency.

[0009] In contrast, there are also types of banknotes that are dispensed one by one from a circulating banknote storage unit and stacked in a continuous, overlapping manner onto a dispensing tray located at a dedicated dispensing port. Once all banknotes have been dispensed and stacked, they can be taken out in batches from the dispensing tray, thus shortening user waiting time. However, in a circulating banknote storage unit equipped with a circulating drum, banknotes are wound and retained on the outer circumference of the drum, resulting in a tendency for each banknote to curl along its longitudinal direction, which in turn causes this tendency to remain on the banknotes being dispensed. In particular, when banknotes with a curled shape (i.e., an upwardly curved longitudinal shape (with the longitudinal center protruding upward and the ends sloping downward)) are dispensed one by one onto the dispensing tray, even if a banknote pressing lever were used to suppress the lift of the trailing end of the previously dispensed banknote, the downwardly tilted leading end of the subsequent banknote would collide with the previously stacked banknote, pushing it off the dispensing tray and causing it to fall. This can lead to poor stacking, such as the following banknotes falling off.

[0010] Furthermore, even if the banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray contain only one wrinkled banknote with extremely reduced stiffness (rigidity), the position of that banknote on the dispensing tray will inevitably degrade the orderliness of subsequent banknotes. Specifically, a banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray with sufficient stiffness will lift the banknote pressing rod and fall onto the dispensing tray, where it will be pressed down by the rod. However, a wrinkled banknote with significantly reduced stiffness will not be able to fully lift the banknote pressing rod during discharge, and will be discharged onto the dispensing tray in a buckled state. Ultimately, it will come to a stop in the space between the rod and the top surface of the dispensing tray, resulting in an abnormal discharge state. When subsequent banknotes are discharged in this state, the previously discharged wrinkled banknote becomes an obstacle, preventing it from stopping in its normal stacking position.

[0011] Therefore, when the banknotes for change are discharged one by one and stacked on the dispensing tray, it is difficult to stack them on the dispensing tray in an orderly state.

[0012] Citation List

[0013] Patent Literature

[0014] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-218965

[0015] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 6450041 Summary of the Invention

[0016] Technical issues

[0017] The present invention has been completed in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a paper discharge stacking device and a circulating paper processing device that prevent the paper discharged from the circulation unit from causing poor stacking on the withdrawal tray in the circulating paper processing device.

[0018] Solution

[0019] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the paper discharge and stacking device of the present invention discharges the paper discharged from a circulation unit that stores the conveyed paper and discharges the stored paper to the outside one by one with its short edge as the leading end and stacks it on a discharge tray, and is characterized by comprising: a discharge conveying path that conveys the paper to the discharge tray; and a forming mechanism that forms the paper conveyed on the discharge conveying path into a short-side shape to become a prescribed shape in the entire long-side direction and then discharges it onto the discharge tray, in the forming performed by the forming mechanism, an upward protrusion and a downward protrusion are alternately formed along the short-side direction of the paper, and both end portions of the short side of the paper are tilted upward.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, in a recycling-type paper sheet processing apparatus, it is possible to prevent paper sheets dispensed from a recycling unit from being poorly stacked on a dispensing tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view of a paper processing apparatus including a paper discharge and stacking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the main part of the second unit M2 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a front view of the molding mechanism as seen from the discharge side.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the molding mechanism as seen from the discharge side.

[0026] Figure 5 (a) and (b) are main views showing the state where the banknote is formed into a shape with a specified stiffness by a forming mechanism and an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the short side of the payout banknote after forming, and (c) is an explanatory diagram when the short side of the banknote is formed into an M shape.

[0027] Figure 6 (a) is a front perspective view showing the positional relationship between a banknote immediately after being discharged from the forming mechanism and the stacked banknotes, and a guide member, and (b) is a perspective view showing the shape of the banknote after forming.

[0028] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the guide member.

[0029] Figure 8 A longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a cash dispenser tray

[0030] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the change dispensing operation steps of the banknote handling apparatus of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10 It is a side longitudinal sectional view of a conventional discharge, conveyance and accumulation unit 500P.

[0032] Figure 11 (a) to (d) are operation explanatory diagrams (lateral longitudinal sectional views) of the discharge, conveyance and accumulation unit, sequentially showing states immediately before the leading end of a banknote passes through the molding mechanism.

[0033] Figure 12 (e) and (f) are action illustrations (side longitudinal cross-sectional views) of the discharge conveying stacking section showing the state before and immediately after the rear end of the banknote passes through the forming mechanism, and (g) and (h) are figures used to illustrate the action steps of the blades retracting the banknotes to the rear.

[0034] Figure 13 (i) to (l) are diagrams for explaining the operation steps of the blades to collect the banknotes backward.

[0035] Figure 14 (m) to (o) are diagrams for explaining the operation steps of the blades to collect the banknotes backward.

[0036] Figure 15 This is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a state in which a banknote having significantly reduced stiffness passes through a forming mechanism in which the gap G2 is set too large.

[0037] Figure 16 It is a front view of the main parts of the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 (discharge, conveyance and stacking unit 800) according to the third embodiment.

[0038] Figure 17 (a) to (d) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 and the discharge and stacking operations.

[0039] Figure 18 (e) to (h) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 and the discharge and gathering operations.

[0040] Figure 19 (i) to (l) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 and the discharge and stacking operations.

[0041] Figure 20 (m) to (o) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 and the discharging and collecting operations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0043] [Banknote processing device]

[0044] Overall Structure

[0045] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view of a banknote (paper) handling apparatus including a banknote (paper) discharge and stacking apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Furthermore, while this embodiment describes an apparatus for handling banknotes as an example of paper, the paper discharge and stacking apparatus and paper handling apparatus of the present invention can also be applied to apparatuses for handling general paper other than banknotes, such as vouchers, bills, and securities. Furthermore, while the paper shape in this embodiment is primarily a quadrilateral, i.e., a rectangle, such as a rectangle or square, the paper is not limited to rectangular paper.

[0047] Figure 1 The circulating banknote processing device (hereinafter referred to as the banknote processing device) 1 shown is, for example, a unit that is equipped in a banknote operating device such as a vending machine, a ticket machine, a game medium lending machine in a game hall, a cash deposit and withdrawal device, an exchange machine, or is arranged in parallel with the same to accept banknotes and disburse banknotes as change, etc.

[0048] Hereinafter, the banknote processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

[0049] The banknote processing device 1 is roughly composed of the following parts: a shell 3, which constitutes the outer body; a deposit and withdrawal processing unit M, which transports the banknotes deposited into the shell along the long side direction through the required route inside the machine or discharges them to the outside of the machine; a banknote storage unit N, which stores the banknotes transported from the deposit and withdrawal processing unit M or pays the stored banknotes to the deposit and withdrawal processing unit M; a conveying mechanism, which transports the banknotes through various routes; and a control unit (CPU, MPU, ROM, RAM, etc.) 1000, which controls various control objects.

[0050] The deposit and withdrawal processing unit M includes the following parts: an deposit and withdrawal port (input port) 5, which accepts a banknote or a bundle of banknotes of different denominations in batches, and serves as a return port for returning rejected deposited banknotes; a disbursement port (disbursement port) 7 for disbursing banknotes from the banknote storage unit N for change; a batch deposit unit (introduction unit) 11, which separates the banknotes (bundles) deposited and placed at the deposit and withdrawal port 5 one by one and introduces them into the device body through the deposited banknote conveying path (introduction unit) 9a; and an identification unit 15, which is arranged on the conveying path along the deposited banknote conveying path 9a, and uses optical and magnetic sensors to determine the denomination, authenticity, etc. of the deposited banknotes.

[0051] The deposit and withdrawal processing unit M is composed of a first unit M1 and a second unit (a banknote discharge and stacking device, a batch disbursement unit) M2.

[0052] The first unit M1 includes the following components: a trusteeship unit (temporary storage unit) (not shown) that temporarily stores a predetermined number of deposited banknotes that have passed through the deposit / dispenser port 5, the deposited banknote conveying path 9a, the batch deposit unit 11, and the identification unit 15. Upon acceptance, the banknotes are delivered to the storage units 30 and 40 and the reclaim bin 50 (described later). Upon cancellation of a refund request, the banknotes are delivered to a disbursement stacking unit (not shown); and a disbursement stacking unit (returned banknote stacking device) (not shown) that stacks return banknotes and rejected banknotes (hereinafter referred to as return banknotes) conveyed from the trusteeship unit and then disburses them to the deposit / dispenser port 5. A more detailed description of the first unit M1 is omitted as it is not relevant to the present invention.

[0053] The second unit M2 constitutes the banknote discharge and stacking device of the present invention, including the following parts: a cashout tray (discharge tray) 700, which is arranged at the disbursement port (discharge port) 7; and a discharge conveying and stacking section 500, which conveys, discharges and stacks the disbursement banknotes (disbursement paper) discharged one by one from each storage section 30, 40 onto the cashout tray 700.

[0054] A unit mounting cavity E is provided between the first unit M1 and the banknote storage unit N. In this cavity E, a banknote dispensing device without a batch dispensing function and a second unit M2 with a batch dispensing function can be replaceably installed and removed.

[0055] That is, a conventional banknote dispensing device having a different structure from the second unit M2 can be installed in the installation cavity E. This conventional banknote dispensing device is configured so that subsequent banknotes after the second one are not dispensed unless the user removes the banknotes that are dispensed one by one from the banknote storage unit N and discharged onto the dispensing tray.

[0056] In contrast, in the second unit M2 of the present invention, namely the banknote discharge and stacking device, banknotes can be continuously discharged one by one from the banknote storage unit N onto the withdrawal tray, and can be taken out in batches by the user after the required number of banknotes are stacked.

[0057] The banknote storage unit N comprises: a first and a second circulating banknote storage section (circulating banknote storage device, circulating unit) 30, 40, which, when determining to accept the deposited banknotes, will freely store the banknotes sent out one by one from the custody section and conveyed on the storage banknote conveying path 9b according to the denomination; and a recovery bin (recovered banknote storage section) 50, which is freely installed in the storage space below the second circulating banknote storage section 40 and can be freely disassembled from the front side. It recovers all denominations from each circulating banknote storage section at the end of business, or recovers high-denomination banknotes that are not used as change and remaining banknotes that cannot be accommodated in each circulating banknote storage section.

[0058] The transport mechanism includes a motor, a solenoid, a pulley, a belt, a grid, and the like for generating and transmitting a driving force for transporting the banknotes along the transport paths 9a and 9b and other transport paths.

[0059] The control unit 1000 controls control objects such as the deposit and withdrawal processing unit M, the banknote storage unit N, and the transport mechanism.

[0060] The first and second circulating banknote storage units 30 and 40 of this embodiment each include two circulating rollers (31, 35, 41, 45) each capable of storing a maximum of 30 banknotes. Each circulating roller 31, 35, 41, 45 is a type suitable for circulating banknotes, storing the banknotes between two long strips (long films) wound in a spiral (or helical) pattern on its outer circumference.

[0061] <Various Operations of Banknote Handling Device>

[0062] Then, Figure 1 The outline of the deposit operation, confirmation operation, withdrawal operation, and collection operation in the banknote handling apparatus 1 shown will be described.

[0063] First, during a deposit operation, when one or more banknotes are inserted from the deposit / dispenser port 5, the control unit 1000, receiving a signal from the sensor detecting the banknotes, activates the conveying mechanism, collecting the banknotes using the batch deposit unit 11 and the deposited banknote conveying path 9a. The batch deposit unit 11 extracts banknotes one by one, starting with the topmost banknote in the bundle placed at the deposit / dispenser port 5, and conveys them to the recognition unit 15. Banknotes deemed acceptable by the recognition unit 15 are conveyed to the escrow unit (not shown), where they are individually wound around the outer circumference of the escrow roller and temporarily stored pending confirmation of deposit. The return of banknotes temporarily stored in the escrow unit is not directly relevant to the present invention, and therefore its description is omitted.

[0064] At the stage where the deposited banknotes temporarily stored in the custody department are determined to be deposited, the banknotes are fed out one by one from the custody department, and the banknotes used for change are stored in any one of the circulating banknote storage departments 30, 40 according to their denominations via the banknote storage conveying path 9b, and the banknotes not used for change are stored in the recovery bin 50.

[0065] When disbursing banknotes as change, the banknotes stored in the circulating banknote storage units 30 and 40 that store banknotes according to denominations are taken out, and the denomination, authenticity, etc. are identified using the identification unit 70 provided on the storage banknote conveying path 9b. If the banknotes are returnable, they are disbursed as change to the disbursement port 7.

[0066] On the other hand, when it is determined that the banknote is non-refundable through recognition by the recognition unit 70, it is temporarily stored in the escrow unit and then transferred to the collection box 50 for storage.

[0067] During collection, the banknotes stored in the circulating banknote storage units 30 and 40 are temporarily accumulated in the custody unit at the end of business hours and then stored in the collection box 50 .

[0068] <Circulating Banknote (Paper) Storage Section>

[0069] The circulating banknote storage unit (circulating banknote storage device = banknote storage unit) 30, 40 generally has two circulation units (circulation roller units) 100, 200 and a distribution unit (baffle) 310 that switches the banknote conveying path (introduction path, dispensing path) to either circulation unit side in the housing 60.

[0070] The circulation units 100 and 200 are units that receive driving force from a motor (not shown) and are operated to receive banknotes conveyed into the housing 60 and to deliver the stored banknotes to the outside of the housing.

[0071] The circulating banknote storage sections 30 and 40 include: a motor not shown in the figure; a first circulating unit (first circulating roller unit) 100 and a second circulating unit (second circulating roller unit) 200, which receive the driving force from the motor and work, thereby respectively receiving and storing the transported banknotes and sending out the stored banknotes; a distribution section (baffle) 310, which distributes the transported banknotes to any one of the circulating units by changing its posture (position); and a distribution unit driving mechanism (baffle driving mechanism), which drives the distribution section (baffle) 310.

[0072] Hereinafter, the structures of the circulating-type banknote storage units (circulating-type banknote storage devices) 30 and 40 will be described.

[0073] Circulation units 30 and 40 include circulation drums 31, 35, and 41, 45, respectively. These drums stack and store banknotes one by one on their outer circumferences by rotating forward, and discharge the banknotes one by one on their outer circumferences by rotating reversely. For example, 1000 yen banknotes are stored in circulation unit 30, while 5000 yen banknotes are stored in circulation unit 40.

[0074] A first sorting unit 61 is located on the stored banknote conveying path 9b, which distributes deposited banknotes conveyed to the banknote storage unit N to the circulating banknote storage unit 30 or 40 (recovery box 50). A sorting piece 61a is located on the first sorting unit 61, which distributes the deposited banknotes conveyed from the deposited banknote conveying path 9a to the circulating banknote storage unit 30 (in-housing conveying path 9c) or the circulating banknote storage unit 40 (recovery box 50). A second sorting unit 65 and a sorting piece 65a are located downstream of the first sorting unit 61, which distribute the deposited banknotes to the circulating banknote storage unit 40 or the recovery box 50.

[0075] In addition, since each circulating-type banknote storage part 30 and 40 has substantially the same structure, the following description will focus on the circulating-type banknote storage part 30 .

[0076] The circulation unit 100 on the front side includes: a baffle 310, which distributes the banknotes conveyed sequentially through the distribution piece 61a and the conveying path 9c in the outer shell to any one of the circulation rollers 31 or 35; a circulation roller (first circulation roller) 31 on the front side, which fixes one end of each roll (film) T1 and T2 on the front side, and winds the two rolls T1 and T2 in an overlapping state on the circumference when rotating in the clockwise direction; a first roll 105 that can rotate freely forward and reverse, which winds the first roll T1 supplied to the outer circumference of the first circulation roller 31 and keeps it in a spiral shape (multi-layer shape); a plurality of guide rollers 106a, which guide the first roll T1 pulled out from the first roll to the outer circumference of the first circulation roller; a second roll 110 that can rotate freely forward and reverse, which winds the second roll T2 supplied to the outer circumference of the first circulation roller 31 and keeps it in a spiral shape; and a guide roller 111a, which guides the second roll T2 pulled out from the second roll to the outer circumference of the first circulation roller. The webs T1 and T2 are respectively wound around the outer circumference of the first circulating drum along the guide rollers 106a and 111a, or fed from the first circulating drum to the reels 105 and 110. The reels 105 and 110 are rotated forward and reverse by a motor (not shown).

[0077] The banknotes transported from the first distribution section 61 toward the first circulation drum 31 are guided into the contact travel area TA where the two tapes T1 and T2 travel in an overlapping manner at the clamping portion n between the guide roller 106a and the guide roller 111a located at the final position, and are clamped between the two tapes and stacked on the outer peripheral surface of the first circulation drum rotating in the winding direction (clockwise direction).

[0078] When the banknotes stacked between the tapes on the outer periphery of the first circulation drum 31 are discharged one by one to the outside of the circulation unit 100, the first circulation drum 31 is rotated in the feeding direction (counterclockwise) and the rollers 105 and 110 are rotated in the winding direction. As a result, the tapes T1 and T2 are reversely conveyed and wound onto the rollers along the same route as when they are fed from the rollers 105 and 110, and the banknotes clamped between the tapes are paid out from the clamping part n in sequence to the first distribution part 61, the conveying path 9c in the outer shell, and the banknote storage conveying path 9b.

[0079] The final guide roller 106 a for the first web T1 and the final guide roller 111 a for the second web T2 form a nip n. After the nip nip, the two webs T1 and T2 are wound on the outer peripheral surface of the first circulating drum 31 in an overlapping state.

[0080] The circulation unit 200 on the rear side has the same structure as the circulation unit 100 on the front side, and therefore the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] Furthermore, the curling tendencies formed on the banknotes accumulated on the outer circumferences of the circulation drums 31 and 35 that constitute the circulation unit 100 and the circulation drums 41 and 45 that constitute the circulation unit 200 are opposite. Specifically, the circulation drums 31 and 35 wind the banknotes when rotating clockwise and rotate counterclockwise when dispensing them. Consequently, the banknotes discharged to the dispensing tray 700 via the stored banknote conveyor path 9b develop a curling tendency with the center of the long side bulging upward (with both ends of the long side tilting downward), i.e., an upward curling tendency. On the other hand, the banknotes accumulated on the outer circumferences of the circulation drums 41 and 45 have a downward curling tendency with the center of the long side bulging downward.

[0082] [Banknote Dispensing and Stacking Device: First Embodiment]

[0083] Basic Structure

[0084] Figure 2 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the main part of the second unit M2 of the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is the main view of the molding mechanism when viewed from the discharge side. Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the molding mechanism viewed from the discharge side. Figure 5(a) and (b) are front views showing the state where the banknote is formed into a shape having a predetermined stiffness by the forming mechanism, and an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the short side of the payout banknote after forming, and (c) is an explanatory diagram when the short side of the banknote is formed into an M shape. Figure 6 (a) is a front perspective view showing the positional relationship between a banknote immediately after being discharged from the forming mechanism and the stacked banknotes, and a guide member, and (b) is a perspective view showing the shape of the banknote after forming. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of the guide member, Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the cash dispenser tray.

[0085] The second unit (banknote discharge stacking device, batch disbursement unit) M2 includes the following parts: a disbursement port 7; a discharge conveying stacking section 500, which conveys the disbursement banknotes (disbursement paper) B discharged from each storage section 30, 40 to the disbursement port 7; and a disbursement tray (discharge tray) 700, which is arranged at the disbursement port 7 for stacking (layering) the banknotes discharged from the discharge conveying stacking section.

[0086] The second unit M2 is a unit that discharges banknotes dispensed one by one from the recycling units 30 and 40 that receive and store fed banknotes and dispense the stored banknotes to the outside, and stacks them on the payout tray 700.

[0087] The second unit M2 continuously discharges multiple change banknotes one by one with the short side as the leading edge and stacks them on the dispensing tray 700, allowing the user to remove the stacked banknotes in batches when the stacking is completed. Banknotes can be removed from the dispensing tray after all banknotes have been discharged.

[0088] like Figure 1 、 Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the discharge conveying and stacking section 500 constituting the second unit M2 includes: a discharge conveying path 510 for conveying banknotes toward the dispensing tray; a discharge conveying mechanism 520 for imparting conveying force to the banknotes on the discharge conveying path 510; a shaping mechanism (rigidity imparting unit) 550 for shaping (deforming) the short side shape (short side shape) of the dispensing banknotes B (hereinafter referred to as banknotes B) to be discharged onto the dispensing tray 700 into a predetermined shape along the entire length of the banknotes B, thereby imparting stiffness (rigidity and shape retention) along the entire length of the banknotes B; and a paper feed sensor 580 for detecting the entry of the leading end of the banknotes B into the shaping mechanism and the discharge of the trailing end. The banknotes B entering the discharge conveying path 510 are conveyed to the shaping mechanism 550 by conveying components such as the conveying rollers 517 constituting the discharge conveying mechanism 520.

[0089] The discharge conveying path 510 is equipped with upper and lower conveying guides 510a that clamp the banknotes B from the upper and lower directions, and a pair of conveying rollers 517 that clamp the banknotes B and convey them. Therefore, even banknotes with a tendency to curl or banknotes with reduced stiffness can be conveyed while being corrected (pressurized and deformed) into a straight and flat posture. Therefore, the banknotes conveyed in the discharge conveying path become in a state with a certain degree of stiffness. However, the correction of the posture in the discharge conveying path is temporary, and the curling tendency will not be completely corrected. In other words, when a banknote with a curling tendency is discharged directly onto the dispensing tray without passing through the forming mechanism, the curling tendency will be restored on the dispensing tray.

[0090] The discharge conveying mechanism 520 includes the following parts: rollers 512a, 512b, 512c, which are used to convey the banknotes (disbursed banknotes) B that are withdrawn from each storage section 30, 40 and rise along the storage banknote conveying path 9b to the forming mechanism 550; a baffle 514, which switches its posture between a posture of guiding the banknotes (deposited banknotes) fed from the first unit M1 to the banknote storage unit N side and a posture of guiding the conveying direction of the banknotes to the second unit M2 (forming mechanism 550) side; a baffle driving unit (solenoid, etc.) not shown in the figure; a discharge conveying path 510 to the forming mechanism; a conveying roller pair 517, which is arranged on the discharge conveying path; and a motor or solenoid serving as a driving source for each driven object.

[0091] The rollers 512a and 512b rotate forward when conveying deposited banknotes introduced from the first unit M1 toward the respective storage sections 30 and 40, and reverse when conveying banknotes B into the forming mechanism 550. In the illustrated state, the flapper 514 is in a position for conveying banknotes B rising in the stored banknote conveying path 9b toward the forming mechanism 550. The flapper 514 is rotated clockwise by a desired angle to shift to a position that connects the stored banknote conveying paths 9b and 9a.

[0092] <Molding mechanism>

[0093] The shaping mechanism 550 is a unit that shapes the short sides of banknotes with various curling, folding, wrinkling, or other characteristics, or banknotes with partially or completely reduced stiffness (defective banknotes), into a predetermined shape along their entire length. This strengthens the stiffness of the long sides, or corrects the banknotes into a shape suitable for stacking. The shaping mechanism's corrective effects (shaping effect and post-shaping shape retention) are not temporary; the corrected shape is maintained even after the banknotes are discharged onto the dispensing tray.

[0094] In the following embodiment, an example is described of imparting stiffness (correcting the curling tendency) to banknotes that have been curled upward in the long side direction by a circulating roller by molding using a molding mechanism, but the molding mechanism is generally capable of dealing with various tendencies other than curling tendencies, deformed banknotes, banknotes with reduced stiffness, and other banknotes with poor properties that may cause poor landing, poor stacking, etc. when discharged onto the dispensing tray without going through the molding process.

[0095] pass Figures 2 to 5 A specific structural example of the molding mechanism 550 will be described.

[0096] In addition, the short side shape of the banknote refers to Figure 5 (a) and (b) show the shape of the edge when the short side of the banknote is viewed from the front (front shape).

[0097] The forming mechanism 550 generally comprises: a rotating shaft 552, both ends of which are supported in a horizontal position by bearings 553 so as to be rotatable; a disc-shaped (roller-shaped) central flange 605, the axis of which is fixed by an appropriate part of the rotating shaft, in this case, a part of the rotating shaft corresponding to the width center of the discharge conveying path 510; two driving rollers 555, 600, which are respectively located at positions separated by a prescribed interval L1 on both sides of the central flange 605 in the axial direction, and the axes are fixed by the rotating shaft; and disc-shaped outer flanges 607, 609, which are respectively located at positions separated by a prescribed interval L2 on the axial outside of each driving roller 555, 600, and the axes are fixed by the rotating shaft.

[0098] In other words, a wide central flange 605 is coaxially positioned between the drive rollers 555 and 600, while narrower outer flanges 607 and 609 are positioned axially outward of each drive roller, spaced a predetermined distance L2 apart. The width W1 (6 mm) of the central flange 605's contact surface (outer circumference) with the banknote is set wider than the width W2 (2 mm) of the outer flanges 607 and 609's contact surfaces with the banknote. The reason for setting the central flange width W1 wider is that, as will be described later, if the central flange width is too small, the gap G2 between the central flange and the opening 673 of the rod 670 becomes too large, causing part of the banknote to fall into this gap, causing the discharged banknote to fall downward and reducing the stiffness of the rod. The ratio of the central flange width W1 to the outer flange width W2 is, for example, approximately 4:1.

[0099] The outer diameters of the central flange 605 and the outer flanges 607 and 609 are larger than those of the driving rollers 555 and 600. Each flange is a disc member made of a resin or metal material having sufficient stiffness so as not to deform when in contact with a banknote.

[0100] Directly above each drive roller 555, 600, tension rollers 556, 601, serving as driven rollers, are positioned in a one-to-one correspondence with each drive roller, forming a nip n1 between the drive rollers and the outer circumference of each drive roller. The outer circumferences of the drive rollers 555, 600 and tension rollers 556, 601 are constructed from a material with sufficient frictional resistance to prevent slippage with banknotes.

[0101] The height positions T1 and T2 of the uppermost portions of the outer peripheral surfaces of the flanges 605, 607, and 609 are located above the clamping portions n1 of the drive rollers and the tension rollers. Therefore, when the banknote B passes through the rotating shaft 552, it is pressed and deformed by the clamping portions n1 and the flanges, forming the protrusions P1 and P2, the upward oblique side S2, and the protrusion P3 (see FIG. Figure 5 (a), (b)).

[0102] Alternatively, the extending direction of the short side ends of the banknote may be restricted by disposing a restriction member 611 with a gap G1 between the uppermost portion T2 of each outer flange 607, 609. The restriction member 611 may be a fixed member or roller having low friction resistance to the banknote.

[0103] When narrow banknotes are discharged from the forming mechanism, the short edges of the banknotes sometimes rise excessively instead of drooping. In this state, the raised ends of the banknotes stacked on the discharge tray can cause collisions when the next banknote is dispensed, causing the previous banknote to fall off the discharge tray. To prevent this undesirable situation, restricting the extension direction of the short edge ends using a restricting member 611 is effective.

[0104] Furthermore, when a wide banknote is discharged from the forming mechanism, it is formed into a W-shape. Consequently, if the short ends of the banknote rise excessively, they may become higher than the height of the space above the dispensing tray and interfere with the top of the space (frame 660). This creates a risk of banknote jamming. Therefore, limiting excessive banknote expansion with the limiting member 611 during forming can reduce this risk.

[0105] In addition, especially in banknotes with strong stiffness, the two ends of the short side of the banknote sometimes do not droop but remain upright. The upright ends may block the discharge path after being stacked on the withdrawal tray. Therefore, it is effective to limit the extension direction of the two ends of the short side in advance by limiting components.

[0106] exist Figure 5In the examples shown in (a) and (b), the forming mechanism 550 alternately forms an upward protrusion (a curved portion protruding upward) P1, a downward protrusion (a curved portion protruding downward) P2, and an upward protrusion P3 along the short side direction of the banknote in such a manner that the short side shape of the banknote B becomes approximately left-right symmetrical, and causes the end sides S2, S2 of the short side of the banknote to tilt upward (protrude obliquely upward).

[0107] The upward protrusion P1 includes a top P1′ and oblique sides S1, S1 extending downwardly and obliquely to the left and right (outward) from the top P1′. The downward protrusion P2 includes a top (bottom) P2′ and oblique sides (end sides) S2, S2 extending upwardly and obliquely to the left and right from the top P2′. Upward protrusions P3, P3 are formed at the terminal ends of each oblique side S2, S2.

[0108] The top P1' of the central protrusion P1 is formed at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the central flange 605, the top P2' of the left and right protrusions P2 are formed at a position corresponding to the clamping portion n1 of the drive roller 555, 600 and the tensioning roller 556, 601 (final roller pair), and the top P3' of the outer protrusion P3 is formed at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the outer flanges 607, 609.

[0109] Specifically, the central protrusion P1 is formed by the central flange 605 pressing the central portion of the banknote upward while the left and right clamps n1 maintain their left and right positions. The downward protrusion P2 is formed by being pressed downward by the clamps n1 between the drive roller 555 and the tension roller 556, and by the clamps n1 between the drive roller 600 and the tension roller 601. The outer beveled edge S2 and protrusion P3 are formed by the outer flanges 607 and 609 and the restricting member 611 while being held by the clamps n1.

[0110] That is, when the banknote B passes through, an upward protrusion P1 is formed in the center of the short side of the banknote B (the center in the width direction), a downward protrusion P2 is formed on the left and right sides of the protrusion P1, and upward protrusions P3 and P3 are formed on the left and right sides of each downward protrusion P2 and P2. In this way, the two end edges of the banknote can be corrected (curled) to an upwardly lifted (upwardly tilted) state to form oblique sides S2 and S2. The short side shape of the formed banknote becomes roughly bilaterally symmetrical. The protrusions (P1, P2, P3) and the oblique sides S1 and S2 that serve as the forming parts are formed continuously along the entire long side direction of the banknote. Therefore, the curling tendency (curved shape) formed along the long side direction of the banknote discharged onto the withdrawal tray is corrected, and the long side shape of the banknote becomes roughly flat or roughly close to straight, and this shape is maintained (held). Specifically, by folding (curving) the short side of the banknote B at multiple locations to alternately form upward protrusions P1, downward protrusions P2, and upward protrusions P3, the tendency of the banknote, which is curved when viewed from the long side, to curl can be eliminated, resulting in a substantially straight (non-curled) shape when viewed from the long side. In other words, by alternating upward and downward protrusions along the short side, the banknote's stiffness (rigidity) along its entire long side can be increased, thereby imparting a force (conformity retention force) that maintains a substantially flat or substantially straight shape.

[0111] Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the banknotes discharged from the forming mechanism 550 can be oriented upward. This upward orientation prevents collisions with the rear ends of the already stacked banknotes. In particular, when the rear end of the already stacked banknotes tends to rise upward, they are more likely to collide with the front end of the following banknotes. However, the following banknotes, which have been strengthened in stiffness and are in a flat, upward orientation, are more effective in preventing collisions with the already stacked banknotes.

[0112] The portion of the banknote corresponding to the downward-pointing protrusion P2 is discharged from the forming mechanism while being clamped by the clamping portions n1 of each final roller pair, preventing it from sagging during discharge. Furthermore, after discharge, the protrusions P1 and P2 are still in a mountain (valley) shape and maintain their shape. Strong tension is applied to the oblique sides S1 connecting the protrusions, preventing them from sagging.

[0113] Next, each bevel S1 is formed while being stretched, with sufficient tension applied between the outer circumference of the central flange 605 and the clamping portion n1 of each final roller pair. Each bevel S2 is formed while being stretched, with sufficient tension applied between each clamping portion n1 and the outer circumference of the outer flanges 607 and 609. Therefore, each bevel S1 and S2 does not loosen or sag during or after discharge from the forming mechanism. Even in the case of banknotes with longer short sides, the protrusions P2 are clamped during discharge and are inherently upwardly inclined, so each bevel S2 does not sag to the point of interfering with the stacked banknotes. In other words, even after discharge from the forming mechanism, each protrusion P1 and P2 maintains its mountain (or valley) shape. Strong tension is applied to the bevel S1 connecting the protrusions and the outer bevels S2, preventing the bevels S2 from sagging significantly. Even if the bevels sag after discharge, the amount of sagging is minimal.

[0114] Therefore, the total height h1 after molding can be suppressed to be small, and the vertical dimensions of the components constituting the molding mechanism can be reduced.

[0115] Next, the tops P1', P2', and P3' of the protrusions P1, P2, and P3 are not formed into sharp, acute, or obtuse shapes. Instead, they are generally flat, a transfer of the shapes of the outer peripheral surfaces of the central flange 605, the drive rollers 555 and 600, and the outer flanges 607 and 609. In short, regardless of the shape of the tops of the protrusions P1, P2, and P3, as long as the protrusions are formed continuously along the entire longitudinal direction of the banknote, the curvature in the longitudinal direction of the banknote can be corrected to a flat or nearly straight shape, thereby achieving the purpose of enhancing stiffness (ensuring shape retention) through molding.

[0116] Furthermore, as long as the outermost end sides S2 are inclined upward, the number of protrusions P1, P2, and P3 may be any.

[0117] In addition, in this embodiment, the height position of the protrusion P1 in the center of the formed banknote B is made the same as the height position of the outer protrusions P3, P3, but the height positions of the protrusions P3, P3 can also be made higher than the protrusion P1, or lower than the protrusion P1.

[0118] When the tops P3' of the protrusions P3 are positioned higher than the tops P1' of the protrusions P1, the outer diameters of the outer flanges 607 and 609 are configured to be larger than the outer diameter of the central flange 605. In this case, the uppermost portions T2 of the outer peripheral surfaces of the outer flanges are positioned higher than the uppermost portion T1 of the central flange. This further reduces the likelihood that the oblique edges S2 and tops P3' of discharged banknotes will be caught on the rear of the stacked banknotes.

[0119] In addition, the downward protrusions P2 and P2 have the same height position, but their height positions may be different.

[0120] In the illustrated embodiment, the short side shape after molding is bilaterally symmetrical, but this is merely an example, and the shape does not need to be bilaterally symmetrical as long as sufficient stiffness can be imparted.

[0121] In addition, if the strength of the banknote's stiffness (especially the stiffness in the short side direction) is at a normal level, Figure 5 As shown in (b), the oblique sides S1 and S2 between the protruding portions of the formed banknote are in a state where they are stretched into a substantially straight line with sufficient tension.

[0122] Another advantage of forming a banknote into a W-shape, with the oblique sides S2 and S2 at both ends sloping upward, is that it minimizes the total height h1 after forming while ensuring sufficient stiffness. Experiments have shown that the total height h1 can be reduced to approximately 2.5 mm, allowing the diameters of the rollers and flanges that comprise the forming mechanism to be compact, while also minimizing the volume of the formed banknote.

[0123] However, as will be described later, if the banknote's stiffness is significantly reduced, the tension of the oblique sides S1 and S2 between the protruding portions decreases, making them prone to slack. This reduces the shape retention during and after discharge from the forming mechanism. Measures to address this issue will be described in the third embodiment.

[0124] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown in (c), when the short side of the banknote B is formed into an M shape, the two end sides S3 of the short side are tilted downward and are therefore prone to drooping. Therefore, when the banknote is discharged onto the dispensing tray, the two end sides S3 hook onto the banknotes that have been previously accumulated on the dispensing tray (especially banknotes with a tendency to protrude upward at the rear end), causing them to fall. When formed into an M shape, the outer end sides S3 tend to exceed the height of the downward protrusion P4 and droop downward significantly, which increases the hooking with the accumulated banknotes. In particular, in the case of banknotes with longer short sides, the outer end sides S3 are longer than in the illustrated case, so the drooping state is exacerbated.

[0125] Therefore, it is not possible to adopt a molding shape in which both ends of the short sides are inclined downward or drooped.

[0126] In addition, banknotes issued in various countries and regions around the world are roughly divided into: small-width banknotes with the maximum dimension of the short side (maximum width dimension) less than 72mm, such as those in the United States, Canada, Australia, etc.; and large-width banknotes with a maximum width dimension of 72mm or more and less than 86mm, such as those in Japan, the Eurozone, and Macau, China.

[0127] On the other hand, if a banknote handling device manufacturer manufactures banknote handling devices for countries where narrow-width banknotes circulate and for other countries where wide-width banknotes circulate, it is disadvantageous to manufacture devices with different specifications for each country. Specifically, preparing two types of banknote handling devices that have no structural differences other than the width of the conveyor path, and then manufacturing and shipping them to order, is significantly disadvantageous in terms of increased manufacturing costs and inventory management expenses.

[0128] In order to cope with such shortcomings and inconveniences, a countermeasure has been adopted in which only one type of machine is provided with a wide conveyance path capable of conveying wide-width banknotes and the machine is also commonly used for narrow-width banknotes.

[0129] In particular, when the second unit M2 is incorporated into the banknote handling apparatus 1 , the shaping mechanism 550 is required to have a structure for shaping the banknote into a shape that can universally impart sufficient stiffness regardless of the short side dimension of the banknote.

[0130] However, in a circulation unit equipped with a circulation drum, banknotes are stored wrapped around the outer circumference of the circulation drum, resulting in a tendency for the banknotes to bend along their longitudinal sides (a curling tendency). In particular, when banknotes discharged from the circulation unit and onto the dispensing tray 700 exhibit an upward curling tendency, with the longitudinal center portion bulging upward, the following undesirable situation may occur: the leading end (which tilts downward) of the newly discharged banknote may strike the rear end of the already accumulated banknotes, pushing the accumulated banknotes off the dispensing tray and causing them to fall. Furthermore, even when there are no already accumulated banknotes, a newly discharged banknote with an upward curling tendency may slide on the dispensing tray due to its downwardly curved leading end, passing over its leading edge and falling, or becoming compressed between the banknote pressing lever and the upper surface of the dispensing tray.

[0131] In the present invention, such conventional problems are solved by using the shaping mechanism 550 to shape the short-side direction of the banknote into a predetermined shape (a shape having stiffness) over the entire length.

[0132] In the shaping mechanism 550 of this embodiment, the spacing L1 between the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the central flange 605, and the spacing L2 between the flanges 607 and 609 and the drive rollers 555 and 600 are set to L1 = 8 mm to 9 mm and L2 = 10 mm to 11 mm, respectively, to accommodate narrow-width banknotes with a maximum width of less than 72 mm. Specifically, when shaping the narrow-width banknote into a W-shape, as in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the drive rollers and the flanges is set so that the narrow-width banknote's two end sides S2 in the short direction are tilted upward.

[0133] On the other hand, if the positional relationship of the drive rollers 555, 600 centered around the central flange 605 and the positional relationship of the flanges 607, 609 centered around the central flange are set to match small-width banknotes, even for large-width banknotes with a maximum width dimension of greater than 72 mm and less than 86 mm, the same curling in the short-side direction as small-width banknotes can be performed.

[0134] The short-side position of each protrusion P1 , P2 , and P3 is fixed regardless of the short-side dimension of the banknote. However, the length l1 of the top P3 ′ of the outermost protrusion P3 varies depending on the short-side dimension of the banknote B.

[0135] However, by determining the axial position of the flanges 607 and 609 on at least both sides, that is, the interval between the two flanges 607 and 609, to correspond to the minimum banknote width, that is, less than 72 mm, the layout of each drive roller and each flange is fixed, and wide banknotes can be properly formed.

[0136] That is, in the discharge conveying path 510, both small-width banknotes and large-width banknotes are conveyed in a manner such that the center of their short sides is roughly consistent with the center of the width direction of the central flange 605. Therefore, the positions (distances from the center of the short sides) of the upward protrusions P1, P3 and the downward protrusion P2 are the same, and only the length l1 of the portion extending further outward than each protrusion P3 is different.

[0137] For banknotes with a short side length of less than 72 mm, the length l1 of the top P3' of the outermost protrusion P3 is shortened. However, if the short side exceeds 85 mm, the length l1 of the top P3' is increased. However, during discharge from the forming mechanism, each top P3' is clamped by the outer flanges 607 and 609, thus preventing significant sagging. Furthermore, if the banknote maintains normal stiffness even after discharge, sagging is also prevented.

[0138] On the other hand, because all drive rollers and flanges are positioned inward of the short side dimension of narrow-width banknotes (72 mm), when the short side of a wide-width banknote is deformed into an M-shape, both ends protrude significantly downward. This makes it easy for the leading edge of a newly discharged banknote to collide with the stacked banknotes on the dispensing tray. This can result in stacked banknotes being pushed out, causing them to fall from the dispensing tray, or causing subsequent banknotes to be crushed and deformed, leading to improper dispensing.

[0139] <Impeller>

[0140] The discharge conveying and stacking section 500 also includes an impeller 650. That is, the impeller 650 is fixed to its axis by a rotating shaft 552 at an axially outer position of each driving roller 555, 600 and an inner position of each flange 607, 609. The impeller 650 has a structure in which blades 654 of the same length are fixed at predetermined intervals along the circumference of the outer periphery of a base portion 652 with a smaller diameter and protrude in a radial manner. In this example, three blades 654 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees. The blades 654 are in the shape of narrow strips and are made of a material that is easily elastically deformed, such as a rubber sheet, and have a shape that is curved in the direction of rotation at least as a whole. Alternatively, it can also be configured to bend due to centrifugal force when the impeller rotates.

[0141] Impeller 650 is coaxial with drive rollers 555 and 600. Therefore, depending on the circumferential spacing between blades 654 and the impeller's rotational speed, the blades could interfere with banknotes being ejected from the nip between the drive roller and tension roller (the final roller pair), hindering ejection. To eliminate this possibility, the banknote ejection speed and blade rotational speed are set so that each banknote begins and completes ejection within the 120-degree circumferential interval between each blade.

[0142] While the banknote passes through the final roller pair, no blade interferes with the banknote. However, as described later, after the rear end of the banknote leaves the final roller pair, the blade rotating from above interferes with and contacts the banknote, causing it to be pulled downward and backward.

[0143] The impeller blades 654 of this embodiment are flat, thin, strip-shaped bodies made of an elastic material such as rubber. However, their front surfaces (the surface that contacts banknotes) are provided with high-friction regions 656, which are alternately arranged with smaller protrusions 656a and recesses 656b. The protrusions 656a of the high-friction regions 656 are made of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the main blade body. If the surface that contacts the banknotes were entirely flat, frictional resistance would be reduced due to the adhesion of paper dust and dirt. However, the presence of high-friction regions 656, which are composed of concave and convex portions, prevents slippage with the banknotes. In particular, by trapping paper dust within the recesses, the reduction in frictional resistance caused by the paper dust is prevented. Furthermore, due to contact with the guide member, the high-friction regions themselves elastically deform, expanding and contracting, facilitating the discharge of paper dust from the recesses and achieving a self-cleaning function. Furthermore, the provision of high-friction regions 656 improves the durability of the blade's front end, which is susceptible to wear and tear from sliding friction with banknotes.

[0144] The high friction area 656 of this embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped with slender protrusions 656a extending in the width direction of the blade, and the recess 656b is a groove located between the two protrusions 656a, but this is only an example, and any high friction area with a structure in which protrusions and recesses are alternately arranged will suffice.

[0145] <Bill Pressing Lever>

[0146] The discharge, conveying, and stacking unit 500 also includes a banknote pressing lever (hereinafter referred to as a lever) 670 for decelerating and pressing banknotes forcefully discharged from the forming mechanism, causing them to stop (or land) at an appropriate position on the surface of the dispensing tray 700. The rear end (rear portion) of the lever 670 is pivotally supported by a lever shaft 672 for vertical rotation. This allows the portion forward of the rear end, particularly the portion protruding onto the dispensing tray, to rotate vertically. When the forming mechanism 550 is not dispensing banknotes, the lever 670 descends to the upper surface of the dispensing tray 700 (or the stacked banknotes) due to its own weight. When a banknote with sufficient stiffness passes through the forming mechanism 550, it is lifted by the banknote B, allowing it to pass.

[0147] That is, a rod shaft 672 is provided on the frame 660 located above the rotating shaft 552, and the rear part of the rod 670 is axially supported by the rod shaft 672 so as to be able to rotate freely in the upward and downward directions. While drawing an arc, it descends onto the cashout tray (on the stacked banknotes) by its own weight and is lifted up by the banknotes when the banknotes are discharged.

[0148] The rod shaft 672 is located further rearward (upstream of the banknote conveying direction on the discharge conveying path) and further upward than the rotating shaft 552. The rod 670's upward and downward rotation trajectory, centered on the rod shaft, is in an axial positional relationship that interferes with the central flange 605. That is, the width dimension of the rod has a value that interferes with the central flange 605, but an open portion (interference avoidance portion) 673 is formed at the width center of the front edge of the rod to avoid interference with the flange 605. In other words, the front edge of the rod 670 is divided into two branch ends 670a, and an open portion 673 is formed between the branch ends to allow the central flange to enter. Each branch portion 670a is composed of a narrow strip of plate material, sandwiching the open portion 673 and extending parallel to it. The presence of the open portion 673 allows the rod to avoid the central flange 605, pass over the central flange, and rotate downward, moving toward the upper surface of the cash dispenser tray 700.

[0149] The function of the rod 670 is to ensure that the banknote B conveyed on the discharge conveying path 510 is in continuous contact (sliding contact) with the upper surface of the banknote during the process of being discharged from the forming mechanism 550. As a result, the banknote is exerted with downward pressure by the weight of the rod so that it falls stably onto the withdrawal tray 700, and the banknotes stacked on the withdrawal tray are pressed to prevent them from floating.

[0150] Therefore, the rod in the lowered position needs to be responsive and quickly lifted up by the banknotes with sufficient stiffness that have passed through the forming mechanism to allow the banknotes to pass. On the other hand, the rod needs to press down the accumulated banknotes, so the counterweight component 675 is fixed to the appropriate position of the rod front portion to increase the weight as needed.

[0151] Specifically, if the rod is not sufficiently lifted by the banknote being dispensed, the following undesirable situations may occur: the banknote cannot reach the correct stopping position on the dispensing tray and stops behind the dispensing tray in a buckled state, or it may collide with the rear of the stacked banknotes and push them out. Therefore, the rod needs to be light enough to be lifted to a sufficient height by the banknotes, but it also needs to be heavy enough to press the top surface of the stacked banknotes during the descent to prevent them from floating.

[0152] If through Figure 11As will be described later, the tip of a banknote B conveyed along the discharge conveyor path 510 contacts the lower surface of the lever at a position between the lever shaft 672 and the rotating shaft 552, and begins to lift the banknote. Within the discharge conveyor path 510, the pressure from the conveying guides 510a, arranged at a narrow interval above and below, and the gripping force of the conveying roller pair 517 deform the banknote into a flat position and temporarily impart a strong stiffness. Therefore, even if a banknote with a tendency to curl or weak stiffness presses against the lever upstream of the rotating shaft 552, the banknote can begin to lift the lever without being flattened or buckled. Furthermore, the tip of the banknote, having passed through the shaping mechanism 550, is shaped into a W and imparted with strong stiffness, allowing it to quickly push the lever forward with greater force, landing on the optimal position on the dispensing tray and stopping.

[0153] Furthermore, it is generally believed that the reason for increasing the weight of the rod by using the counterweight 675 is that, if the banknote processing device 1 is designed to be universally applicable to different banknotes in various countries around the world, it can handle banknotes with different weights, materials, and stiffness. Specifically, the rod has the function of promoting discharge (advancement) by pushing the banknotes discharged from the forming mechanism forward, and the function of controlling the position of the discharged banknotes by pressing down on them. It has been considered that if the weight of the rod is set to a constant value despite widely varying conditions such as the weight of the banknotes, the rod may be too light or too heavy relative to the banknotes, failing to properly perform its function. Therefore, the use of a counterweight to adjust the weight is necessary. However, in experiments using the banknote discharge and stacking device M2, it was confirmed that simply attaching a 10-gram counterweight to the rod can handle banknotes from all over the world. In other words, in this embodiment, simply attaching a counterweight of a certain weight to the rod is sufficient, and there is no need to adjust the weight based on conditions such as the type of banknote.

[0154] However, it has been confirmed that, regardless of the type of banknote, adjusting the weight of the counterweight is effective in normalizing the movement of the lever for banknotes with relatively weak stiffness.

[0155] <Dispensing Tray>

[0156] The dispensing tray (dispensing tray) 700 is a mechanism for receiving and stacking banknotes discharged (released) from the forming mechanism 550. Figure 2 Stereoscopic image, Figure 8As shown in the longitudinal cross-sectional view, it generally comprises: a substantially horizontal and flat base surface (first upper surface) 701; inclined protrusions 703, which are respectively protruded forward from both ends of the width direction near the front end of the base surface, and have upward inclined surfaces (second upper surfaces 703a) on the upper surface; a telescopic component (inclined surface forming component) 705, which is configured such that the rear end portion is axially supported in an elongated groove (hole) 704 provided at the inner edge portion of each inclined protrusion, so that the front portion can rotate in the upward and downward directions; and an elastic component 707, which is rotatable to the telescopic component Figure 2 、 Figure 8 The telescopic members 705 are constantly urged toward the protruding position by elastic members, resulting in an upper surface 705a that is inclined further upward than the inclined surface 703a of the inclined protrusion 703. This brakes the banknotes moving forward along the inclined protrusion 703, slowing them down and stopping them to prevent them from falling. A friction plate is attached to the upper surface 705a of the telescopic members to increase frictional resistance against the banknotes. Without a friction plate, the momentum of the discharged banknotes could cause them to slide on the resin upper surface 705a and fly off the dispensing tray. However, the upper surface 705a, being an inclined surface with a friction plate, effectively slows the banknotes.

[0157] Furthermore, since sufficient frictional resistance can be ensured between the second and subsequent banknotes and the already stacked banknotes, the deceleration effect can be further exerted.

[0158] After a specified number of banknotes have been discharged and accumulated on the dispensing tray, when removing a batch of accumulated banknotes, the user can press down on the telescopic member 705 with their finger, causing the upper surface 705a to retract into the slot 704. This prevents the telescopic member from interfering with the banknote removal process, making it easier to remove the banknotes. Furthermore, even if the rear portion of the dispensing tray is blocked by buckling banknotes, the user can press down on the telescopic member to insert their finger inside and remove the blocked banknotes.

[0159] <Guide Member (Guide Protrusion)>

[0160] As shown in the figures, guide members (guide protrusions) 710, each serving as a projection, are positioned on the base surface 701 of the dispensing tray 700 at positions corresponding to (interfering with) the movement paths of the blades 654 of each impeller 650. As will be described later, the guide members, in cooperation with the impellers, catch discharged banknotes B as they advance directly and before they land on the dispensing tray, then withdraw them toward the space 702. This eliminates the accumulation (dispensing) problem in which the leading ends of banknotes protrude excessively from the leading edge of the dispensing tray.

[0161] When the length of the dispensing tray is shortened, it is possible that the banknotes released from the forming mechanism 550 may land too far forward on the dispensing tray and fall off the tray. However, the guide member holds the released banknotes and, by cooperating with the blades to retract them, prevents them from protruding too far forward. This can eliminate such an undesirable situation.

[0162] like Figures 2 to 5 、 Figure 7 As shown, each guide member 710 is positioned on the upper surface of the dispensing tray in a manner that interferes with the movement trajectory of each blade, contacting (interfering with) the descending blade and allowing it to rotate (pass) while elastically deforming. Each guide member 710 includes a first contact portion (upper surface 716, rear end edge 716a) that contacts the rear of the banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray by the forming mechanism 550 at a position higher than the upper surface of the dispensing tray (before the upper surface of the dispensing tray); and a curved guide surface 720 that curves downward from the first contact portion toward the rear (upstream) in the paper discharge direction.

[0163] With each guide component such as Figure 5 Its position and width are set so as to contact both widthwise end portions (near) of the rear portion of the banknote as shown in FIG.

[0164] In addition, in this embodiment, the rear portion of the banknote broadly includes the rear half of the banknote that can be contacted during the rotational movement of the blade.

[0165] In more detail, Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the guide component 710 generally comprises: a front protrusion 715 having a rectangular flat upper surface 716; a curved guide surface (guide surface, curved recess) 720 that extends continuously downward in a concave shape from the rear end edge (corner edge) 716a of the upper surface; and a rear guide surface 722 that extends generally horizontally from the rear end edge of the curved guide surface. The rear end edge 716a is a corner portion that extends linearly parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 552. The curved guide surface 720 extends downward and rearward in a curved manner with the same width as the rear end edge 716a. The rear guide surface 722 extends rearward with the same width as the curved guide surface 720. In this example, the rear guide surface 722 is located slightly higher than the first upper surface 701 of the cash dispenser tray, but this is only an example. As long as the pulling effect brought about by the cooperation with the blades is not hindered, it can also be set to the same height.

[0166] The upper surface 716 and its rear edge 716a are positioned to contact the leading end of the rotating blade. Therefore, the leading end of the blade elastically deforms and passes in contact with a portion of the upper surface 716 and the rear edge 716a. To facilitate rearward movement of banknotes in coordination with the blade, the curved guide surface 720 and the rear guide surface 722 are also shaped and positioned so that the leading end of the blade elastically deforms and moves in contact.

[0167] When an experiment was conducted in which a guide component having a plane continuously inclined downward and rearward from the rear end edge 716a was arranged on the cashout tray instead of the curved guide surface 720, although the banknotes could be pushed backward by cooperating with the front end of the blade, the pushing efficiency was not as high as that of the curved guide surface.

[0168] like Figure 5 As shown in (a), each guide member is configured to have a width that is at least twice the width of the blade and to extend axially outward beyond each outer flange 607, 609 so as to contact both widthwise ends of a banknote B. This allows the guide member to contact and guide both widthwise ends of a wide banknote.

[0169] <Change payment steps>

[0170] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the change dispensing operation steps of the banknote handling apparatus 1 of the present invention.

[0171] Once you have determined the amount of money to be deposited and the amount of change to be paid, follow the steps below to pay the change.

[0172] First, the control unit 1000 instructs each recycler 30 or 40 to dispense a predetermined number of banknotes of the respective denominations stored therein (step S1). For example, the control unit 1000 instructs the recycler 30 to dispense three 1,000 yen bills stored in the recycler 30 and one 5,000 yen bill stored in the recycler 40 as change onto the dispensing tray.

[0173] Then, each recycler 30 and 40 starts dispensing a designated number of 1,000 yen bills and 5,000 yen bills (step S3). For example, after dispensing three 1,000 yen bills from the recycler 30, one 5,000 yen bill is dispensed from the recycler 40.

[0174] The banknotes dispensed one by one from each circulation unit 30, 40 are checked for denomination by the recognition unit 70 provided on the storage banknote conveying path 9b. If they are of the specified denomination, they are sequentially fed into the discharge conveying stacking unit 500, and discharge conveying is started for each banknote (S5, S7 is, S9).

[0175] If it is determined in step S7 that the items are not returnable, they are temporarily stored in the escrow department and then transported to the collection warehouse 50 (step S21).

[0176] In step S11, when the paper feed sensor 580 detects that the banknotes B fed one by one into the discharge conveying stacking section 500 have passed through the forming mechanism 550 (step S11 "Yes"), it is determined in step S13 whether there are subsequent banknotes. If there are subsequent banknotes, the subsequent banknotes are continuously discharged by the discharge conveying mechanism 520 (step S15).

[0177] Furthermore, in step S17, it is checked whether all the subsequent banknotes have passed through the forming mechanism, and the process ends when the passage is complete.

[0178] Comparison with Conventional Banknote Processing Devices

[0179] Next, in order to clarify the advantages of the present invention by comparing with the conventional examples, Figure 10 A comparative description will be given with reference to a side longitudinal sectional view of a conventional discharge, conveyance and accumulation unit 500P shown.

[0180] The conventional discharge and stacking unit 500P includes a discharge conveying path 510P, a discharge conveying mechanism 520P, a rod 670P, a dispensing tray 700P, and a dispensing mechanism (drive roller 600P, tension roller 601P) for dispensing banknotes onto the dispensing tray. Furthermore, the dispensing mechanism does not have the function of deforming the short side of the banknote into a predetermined shape to correct its curling tendency. Furthermore, the rod shaft 672P of the conventional rod 670P is located closer to the dispensing tray (in front of) the drive roller shaft 552P, and the overall length of the rod is necessarily shorter than that of the rod of the present invention. Therefore, the banknote B conveyed along the discharge conveying path 510P contacts the rod 670P and begins to be lifted after its front end passes through the discharge mechanism and contacts the rod. This dispensing mechanism lacks the ability to deform the short side of a banknote to enhance its stiffness. Therefore, if the banknote's stiffness is weak or if it exhibits a tendency to curl with its front end tilted downward, the lever may not be fully lifted, causing the banknote to buckle and jam. Specifically, if the banknote's lifting of the lever is insufficient, the banknote may not advance sufficiently on the dispensing tray, stopping in a buckled state significantly behind its proper stopping position on the dispensing tray (right in the figure). Consequently, it is difficult to stack multiple banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray in an easily accessible and neatly arranged manner.

[0181] In the conventional discharge transport stacking unit 500P, the banknotes discharged from the discharge mechanism contact the lower surface of the lever 670P at a position (contact point C) that is closer to the front of the rotation axis 552P and closer to the lever axis (see FIG. Figure 10). As a result, the distance L3' between the rod shaft 672P and the contact point C between the rod and the front end of the banknote becomes shorter, so the banknote needs a greater force to lift the rod. Therefore, a banknote with weaker stiffness cannot fully lift the rod and is easily buckled at a position further back than the correct stop position. In particular, when the front end of the banknote reaches the contact point C, it is released from the constraints of the conveying roller 517P, the driving roller 552P, and the tension roller 601P, and thus returns to a state with weaker stiffness, such as Figure 10 As shown, the front end of the banknote is easily buckled downward. Then, the rear portion of the same banknote that is released from the constraints of each roller and discharged is also easily buckled continuously.

[0182] Furthermore, the initial angle θ' of conventional lever 670P during its descent is smaller, requiring greater force to propel the lever upward with a banknote released from the dispensing mechanism. Consequently, weaker banknotes cannot adequately propel the lever upward, and are prone to buckling after discharge. Alternatively, they can collide with the rear of accumulated banknotes, pushing them off the dispensing tray and causing them to fall.

[0183] In contrast, in this embodiment, the lever shaft 672 is positioned further rearward than the rotation axis 552, and the lever 670 is lengthened. The length of the lever 670 is set so that, when no banknotes are present on the dispensing tray, the tip of the lever can descend to and contact the upper surface of the dispensing tray (in this example, the base surface 701) at an appropriate position. This is because if there is a gap between the tip of the lever and the upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray, there is a risk that banknotes will escape through this gap and fly off the dispensing tray.

[0184] In addition, in this embodiment, the distance L3 between the contact point C between the lever and the banknote and the lever axis can be sufficiently extended (see Figure 11 (a)). Therefore, the force required to lift the rod with a banknote is relatively small, making it easier to lift the rod. Furthermore, because contact C is located within the discharge conveying path 510 (just before the forming mechanism), the leading end of the banknote, upon reaching contact C, is flattened by the conveying guide 510a and the conveying roller pair 517, temporarily increasing its stiffness and enabling the rod to be effectively lifted.

[0185] In addition, by configuring the lengthened rod 670 so that its front end contacts the upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray when the rod 670 is lowered, the amount of the dispensing tray can be increased. Figure 11 The initial angle θ of the rod when it is lowered, as shown in (a), makes it easier to push up the banknote when it is inserted. Therefore, even a weak banknote can be pushed up efficiently by the rod.

[0186] In addition, in this embodiment, in order to eliminate the problem that the banknotes released onto the withdrawal tray cannot fully push up the rod and cannot withstand the weight of the rod and fall down (curling tendency toward the upper long side direction), the following three points are studied.

[0187] Specifically, (1) the short side of the banknote is formed into a predetermined shape (e.g., a W-shape) by the forming mechanism 550 to enhance the stiffness along the long side of the banknote. (2) The weight of the rod is adjusted to an optimal value using the weight member 675. (3) The lifting effect of the banknote on the rod is maintained by setting the width W1 of the central flange 605 to be sufficiently wide.

[0188] First, regarding (1), until the rear end of the banknote has passed through the forming mechanism 550 (the clamping portion n1 of the drive roller and the tension roller and the flange), it is preferable to keep the banknote in a horizontal or raised position over its entire length in order to form the banknote into a W-shape. This effect can be fully utilized depending on the forming mechanism. That is, the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism onto the dispensing tray 700 can be reliably discharged while being lifted by the rod 670 due to its enhanced stiffness. In other words, the banknote is clamped by the flanges and the final roller pair during the stage of passing through the forming mechanism, so that the portion of the banknote protruding further forward than the forming mechanism can maintain a state in which the curling tendency is corrected (stiffness strength). Furthermore, even after the banknote has passed through the forming mechanism, the curling tendency is maintained in a corrected state and it falls to the correct position, and the final banknote is pressed by the rod together with the stacked banknotes.

[0189] Next, regarding (2), the premise is that the banknote discharge stacking device M2 is a universal machine capable of handling banknotes from all over the world. That is, the material, thickness, stiffness, weight, and size of banknotes vary from country to country, and in order to improve stacking performance in accordance with these differences, the weight of the rod needs to be adjusted. Specifically, if the rod is too light relative to the weight of the banknotes, the effect of pressing down the banknotes stacked on the dispensing tray during descent is reduced. On the other hand, if the rod is too heavy, there is a risk that the discharged banknotes will be excessively pressed down. Therefore, it is necessary to fine-tune the weight of the rod using the counterweight component 675.

[0190] Next, regarding (3), in order to prevent the corresponding portion of the banknote from falling into the gap G2 between the opening portion 673 formed between the branch ends 670a of the rod and the central flange 605, the width W1 of the central flange ( Figure 3 ) is set sufficiently large. This is because if a banknote enters and falls into the gap G2, the effect of lifting the rod will be reduced, and there is a possibility of causing buckling on the cash dispenser tray. In addition, this point will be described later.

[0191] Such considerations have not been taken into account at all in conventional device structures.

[0192] Processing steps for disbursed banknotes in the discharge, conveying and stacking section

[0193] Then, through Figures 11 to 14The following describes a process for dispensing banknotes by the discharge, conveyance, and accumulation unit 500 (the forming mechanism, the impeller, the banknote pressing lever, and the guide member).

[0194] The base 652, forming the center of the impeller 650, is integrated with the rotating shaft 552 and rotates integrally with the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the flanges 605, 607, and 609. Conventional impellers prevent discharged banknotes B from being knocked off by the blades and flying forward from the dispensing tray. In contrast, the impeller of this embodiment, in addition to its conventional functions, also functions to gather the discharged banknotes backward as they fall, working in conjunction with a guide member 710 provided on the dispensing tray.

[0195] Figure 11 (a) to (d) are action explanatory diagrams (side longitudinal sectional views) of the discharge conveying stacking section 500, showing, in sequence, the state in which the front end of the banknote B conveyed in the discharge direction in the discharge conveying path 510 contacts the rod and pushes up the rod, and the front end of the banknote has just passed through the forming mechanism 550.

[0196] Figure 12 (e) and (f) are operation explanatory diagrams (lateral longitudinal sectional views) of the discharge, conveying and stacking unit 500 showing the state immediately before and immediately after the rear end of the banknote B passes through the forming mechanism. Figure 12 (g), (h), Figure 13 (i) to (l), Figure 14 (m) to (o) are diagrams for explaining the process before the banknotes fall onto the dispensing tray and the operation steps of the blades collecting the banknotes backward.

[0197] Furthermore, the shapes of the dispensing banknotes B shown in the various figures illustrate only the shape of the end surface formed by cutting the banknote at the center of the short side. In other words, the state and movement trajectory of the cut end surface of the banknote corresponding to the center of the short side (protrusion P1) corresponding to the central flange 605 are shown. Therefore, the state and movement trajectory of the short side portions (protrusions P2 and P3) corresponding to the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the outer flanges 607 and 609, as well as the oblique sides S1 and S2, are not shown.

[0198] The payout banknotes before entering the forming mechanism 550 are flattened by the conveying rollers (conveying members) 517 and the like in the discharge conveying path. However, after passing through the forming mechanism, the banknotes are flattened. Figure 6 As shown, the short side shape is formed (rolled) into a W shape along the long side direction. Therefore, the shape of the banknote located on the downstream side of the forming mechanism is actually three-dimensionally formed into a W shape, but as mentioned above, Figures 11 to 14 The figure is represented by a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the central portion of the short side of the banknote along its entire length, and therefore does not show the difference in shape (upper and lower thickness) of the banknote before and after passing through the forming mechanism.

[0199] The rod 670 is configured such that the rod shaft 672 is located rearward of the rotation axis 552 and the rod tip portion can be moved up and down without interfering with the center flange 605 , thereby enabling the following operations.

[0200] exist Figure 11 In (a), the roller 512a is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction and cooperates with the baffle 514 in the switching posture shown in the figure, thereby, the banknote B discharged from any circulation unit and conveyed upward in the storage banknote conveying path 9b is guided to the discharge conveying path 510. In the figure (a), the front end of the banknote contacts and begins to press the lower surface of the rod 670 at a position directly in front of the forming mechanism 550, that is, directly in front of the clamping part n1 of each driving roller 555, 600 and each driven roller 556, 601. That is, in the stage where the banknote has not reached the forming mechanism, as shown in (a), the rod 670 descends due to its own weight, so that its front end contacts the upper surface of the withdrawal tray 700, but is pressed by the banknote at a position (contact C) that is a distance L3 away from the rod shaft 672, thereby, as shown in (b), the rod is lifted. The rod shaft 672 is located further back than the rotating shaft 552, so that the front end of the banknote can Figure 11 The rod contacts the contact point at position (a) (a position upstream of the rotation axis) and begins to lift. Furthermore, a sufficiently long distance L3 is ensured between the rod axis and the contact point C, and the initial angle θ of the rod is set large, close to 180 degrees. Therefore, the rod can be lifted with relatively light force.

[0201] exist Figure 11 In (c), the banknote B moves slightly further in the ejection direction than in (b), so the rod is pressed by the banknote and further lifted, but does not reach the lower surface of the upper frame 660. At this stage, the leading end of the banknote has not completely passed through the forming mechanism.

[0202] Furthermore, as a banknote passes through the forming mechanism, the center portion of its short edge moves along the upper portion of the central flange 605. The short edge portions corresponding to the drive rollers 555 and 600 pass through the nip n1 between the tension rollers 556 and 601, and the short edge portions corresponding to the outer flanges 607 and 609 move along the upper portions of each outer flange. The timing of the movement of each portion of the short edge on the corresponding portion is roughly consistent. Furthermore, the banknote's completion of passage through the forming mechanism occurs when all portions of the banknote's short edge have cleared the central flange 605, the nip n1 between the drive roller and tension roller (the final roller pair), and the outer flanges.

[0203] In the next stage (d), the banknote is still held (clamped) by the flange and final roller pair that constitute the forming mechanism, but the front end of the banknote has passed through the forming mechanism and advanced slightly, forming the short side of the portion that has passed through into a W shape. Therefore, the front end of the banknote located further downstream than the forming mechanism is in a state of being endowed with a strong stiffness, and the rod is lifted by the strong stiffness of the front end of the banknote to a position where it contacts the frame 660 and stops rising. At this time, the portion of the banknote located further downstream than the forming mechanism is not pressed by the rod, so the posture of this portion of the banknote does not tilt downward or bend, and it maintains a horizontal posture or an upward tilted posture.

[0204] exist Figure 12 In (e), the entire front portion of the banknote, except for the rear portion held by the nip n1 between the drive and driven rollers, is given a strong stiffness by the forming mechanism. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the rod continues to be raised to its fully raised position, maintaining a roughly straight posture. In other words, the banknote is discharged along the lower surface of the rod in its fully raised position, but at this stage, the front end of the banknote has not yet descended onto the dispensing tray.

[0205] FIG. 5( f ) shows a state where the rear end of the banknote B is completely separated from the forming mechanism 550 .

[0206] Even if a banknote originally has a curled tip that tilts downward, this curling tendency is eliminated during the process of being ejected from the forming mechanism onto the dispensing tray. Therefore, the banknote ejected onto the dispensing tray will not push out the stacked banknotes, causing them to fall off the dispensing tray. Specifically, during the process from (e) to (f), the leading edge of the subsequent banknote will not come into contact with the rear or other parts of the stacked banknotes, pushing them off the dispensing tray.

[0207] Furthermore, the stacked banknotes are also freed from curling tendency by the shaping of the shaping mechanism, and are kept straight and flat over their entire length, thereby preventing unnecessary interference with subsequent banknotes.

[0208] In the following stages (g) and (h), the leading end of the banknote protrudes from the front edge of the dispensing tray. If this condition persists, the banknote could potentially fall off the dispensing tray. This phenomenon is more likely to occur when the front-to-back length of the second unit M2 is shortened, which in turn shortens the dispensing tray. In this situation, when the banknote, formed and dispensed by the forming mechanism, is pressed by the rod and dropped onto the dispensing tray, its leading end could significantly protrude from the shortened front edge of the dispensing tray and fall off.

[0209] To eliminate this undesirable situation, the present invention is configured such that, when a banknote lands with its front edge (in this example, the telescopic member 705) protruding significantly from the front edge of the dispensing tray (as shown in (g) and (h), a space 702 is formed at the rear of the dispensing tray 700 for retreat. Furthermore, a guide member 710, serving as a protrusion, is fixedly positioned on the upper surface of the dispensing tray, corresponding to the movement path of each impeller blade 654c, corresponding to this retreat space 702. The cooperation between the guide member and the impeller causes the banknote B, which has been temporarily discharged onto the dispensing tray, to retreat toward space 702, thereby releasing the state in which the front end protrudes from the front edge of the dispensing tray.

[0210] The guide member 710 is configured and arranged at a height such that the blades begin to pull the banknotes away from the dispenser tray while the rear portion of the banknote is still in the air, before landing on the guide member's upper surface 716 or rear edge 716a, as shown in (g) and (h). In other words, the blades are configured so that the first contact between the banknote and the blades occurs while the banknote is still in the air.

[0211] In addition, the behavior of banknotes varies, so the front end of the blade sometimes contacts the rear end of the banknote after or while the rear end of the banknote falls on the upper surface of the guide member. However, it has been confirmed that the banknotes can be pushed back without any problems in this case.

[0212] The length and positional relationship of each blade 654 are set so that it is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the guide member 710 during the rotational movement.

[0213] In addition, the rotation speed of the impeller, the rotation timing of the blade relative to the discharged banknote, and the length of the blade (the rotation trajectory of the blade tip) are selected as follows: Figure 12 (g), (h), Figure 13 As shown in Figures (i) and (j), the blade 654c, which rotates from above, can catch the rear portion of a banknote discharged onto the dispensing tray and pull it downward toward the guide member 710. Furthermore, the front-to-back position of the guide member on the dispensing tray, the front-to-back length of the upper surface 716, and the front-to-back position of the rear end edge 716a are selected so that, as shown in the above figures, the lower surface of the rear portion of the banknote pulled down by the blade 654c easily contacts the upper surface and rear end edge of the guide member.

[0214] By this configuration, even if the discharged banknote attempts to fly forward excessively, the blade 654c can catch the rear end of the banknote in the air at an early stage of the banknote being discharged and start to pull it downward and backward. Furthermore, when the blade 654c reaches the rear end edge 716a of the guide member, it starts to clamp the lower surface of the rear end of the banknote between the rear end edge, and then it can clamp the banknote between the front end of the blade and the curved guide surface 720 to pull the entire banknote backward ( Figure 13 (k), (l), Figure 14 (m) to (o)).

[0215] Furthermore, in the stage after (g), the banknotes whose rear ends have been separated from the forming mechanism 550 are pressed downward by the rod 670. Therefore, through the cooperation between the rod and the blades, the banknotes are gathered rearward while being lowered.

[0216] More specifically, in order to increase the processing speed of the banknotes, the present invention is configured such that before the banknotes discharged from the forming mechanism 550 are completely dropped onto the upper surface of the dispensing tray or the guide member 710, the rear portion of the banknotes is in the air ( Figure 12 In (g) and (h)), the front end of the blade 654c contacts the rear of the banknote. By appropriately selecting and setting the contact timing of each blade and each banknote, in other words, the rotation speed of each blade and the release speed of each banknote, the banknote can be forcibly pulled in the downward direction and backward at the moment when the rear of the banknote in the air contacts the blade. Afterwards, when the blade descends to a position where it contacts the upper surface and the rear end edge of the guide component, the rear of the banknote becomes sandwiched between the blade and the guide component, and is therefore reliably retracted backward along the curved guide surface 720 by the subsequent rotation of the blade. Therefore, regardless of any differences in the dimensions in the long side direction, all banknotes are stacked on the dispensing tray with their rear ends aligned, and will not fall from the front end edge of the dispensing tray.

[0217] In this embodiment, if Figure 12 (g) to Figure 14 As shown in (o), the banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray are pulled rearward after their front ends temporarily land on the dispensing tray (on the telescopic member 705). When viewed from the return port, the banknotes behave as follows: they are temporarily protruding from the front edge of the dispensing tray before being pulled rearward and stopped.

[0218] Furthermore, the falling path and timing of banknotes whose stiffness has been enhanced by the forming mechanism 550 are relatively stable and consistent. However, in the case of banknotes with an excessively strong tendency to curl upward or so-called wrinkled banknotes whose original stiffness has been significantly reduced, the falling path and timing may deviate even after being formed by the forming mechanism. Therefore, the blades may not always be able to capture the rear portion of the banknote in mid-air at the same time. The rear portion of the banknote may also fall onto the guide member before the blades make contact. However, according to this embodiment, even in such a situation, the blades can sandwich the rear portion of the banknote between themselves and the guide member and pull it back.

[0219] To explain in more detail, the impeller's structure and rotation timing are designed to knock the discharged banknotes downward. In particular, in this embodiment, as long as the banknotes' curling tendency before being formed is normal, the impeller can be designed to contact the impellers mid-air during their fall. However, if the banknotes have a strong tendency to curl upward along their long sides, the impeller may not be able to form a complete W-shape along the entire length of the banknote, thus failing to impart sufficient stiffness. In such cases, the curling tendency is restored the moment the banknote is released from the impeller, causing the rear end of the banknote to curl away from the impellers, potentially causing the rear end of the banknote to fall onto the guide member 710 before contacting the impellers. However, with the structure of this embodiment, even in such a situation, the rear end of the banknote will catch on the guide member, preventing forward movement and being caught by the subsequently descending front end of the impellers, pulling it backward. This prevents the banknotes from falling off the dispensing tray.

[0220] The same treatment can be applied to wrinkled banknotes, which have a significantly reduced stiffness.

[0221] Next, based on the above structures and functions of the impeller 650 , the rod 670 , and the guide member 710 , the operation of the impeller to gather the banknotes discharged from the molding mechanism 550 rearward while being pressed downward by the rod will be further described.

[0222] like Figure 12As shown in (g) and (h), when the downwardly rotating blade 654c contacts the rear portion of the banknote B ejected from the forming mechanism 550 onto the dispensing tray while still in the air, the high friction region 656 begins to reliably capture the banknote and, in conjunction with the downward pressure of the lever, forcibly pull it downward and rearward. In other words, the banknote ejected from the forming mechanism is forced forward, attempting to move in the air toward the leading edge of the dispensing tray 700. In contrast, by contacting the rear portion of the illustrated banknote in the air, the downwardly moving blade 654c weakens the banknote's forward momentum, halting its forward movement and further guiding it in the direction of the blade 654c's rotational movement (downward and rearward).

[0223] In addition, in the embodiment shown in the figure, a structural example of the new lever 670 is shown in which the lever shaft 672 is arranged in the discharge conveying path 510 on the upstream side of the forming mechanism. However, this is only an example, and a conventional lever ( Figure 10 That is, in the discharge, conveyance and accumulation unit having the conventional lever, the banknote pulling-together effect can also be obtained by applying the impeller and the guide member 710 .

[0224] exist Figure 12 In (g) and (h), when the blade 654c captures the rear portion of the banknote B in the air and continues to rotate downward, the blade 654c presses the rear portion of the banknote down until it contacts the upper surface 716 and the rear end edge 716a of the guide member 710. At this point, the rear portion of the banknote is clamped and held between the high friction area 656 and the rear end edge 716a. Therefore, as the blade continues to rotate, Figure 13 、 Figure 14 As shown in sequence, the banknote moves rearward along the curved guide surface 720 and the rear guide surface 722 .

[0225] exist Figure 14 (o) moment, blade 654c breaks away from the banknote rear end substantially, so banknote stops to the movement in the rear. In addition, also can be provided with the stopper that is used for aligning the rear end of each banknote that is pulled together in the rear end portion of the space 702 of retreating usefulness as required.

[0226] As described above, before the rear end of the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism falls onto (contacts) the upper surface 716 of the guide member, the blade 654c contacts the rear end of the banknote at a position further forward and above the upper surface 716 and begins pulling the banknote downward and backward (in the direction opposite to the banknote dispensing direction). In other words, the contact position C between the blade tip and the banknote can be set farther along the rotational trajectory of the blade tip. Therefore, pulling the banknote backward can begin at an earlier stage, before the banknote has completely landed on the dispensing tray, thereby accelerating the processing of banknote accumulation.

[0227] Furthermore, the provision of the guide member 710 allows the rear end of a falling banknote to contact the guide member's rear edge 716a when the rear end is above the upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray. This allows the rear end of the banknote to be hooked by the rear edge 716a at a relatively early stage, before it lands on the dispensing tray. Consequently, a banknote that has landed on the dispensing tray can be quickly pulled rearward while temporarily freeing itself from the front edge of the dispensing tray, bringing it to a stop at the optimal position.

[0228] According to the above structure, regardless of the size of the long side dimensions of the banknotes, the rear ends of all the banknotes discharged onto the withdrawal tray can be aligned in a line in sequence. Therefore, the banknotes can be prevented from excessively protruding or falling from the front end edge of the withdrawal tray, and can become the optimal state for users to batch remove multiple banknotes stacked on the withdrawal tray.

[0229] In addition, there is a strong demand for making the dispensing tray as small and short as possible. Since the rear ends of the discharged banknotes can be aligned with the rear end of the dispensing tray as a reference, such a demand can be met.

[0230] Next, the structure and operation of the guide member and the impeller for pulling the banknotes backward (sweeping) according to the present invention will be described in more detail in comparison with the structure and operation of the conventional impeller.

[0231] Conventionally, the purpose of the impeller used to suppress banknotes released onto the dispensing tray was simply to prevent them from flying forward by pressing them against the dispensing tray with downwardly rotating blades. Specifically, conventional impellers simply performed the pressing function to prevent the released banknotes from floating and flying forward, holding down the banknotes after or immediately before they landed on the top surface of the dispensing tray. Furthermore, the tip of the blades, after sandwiching the banknote and contacting the top surface of the dispensing tray, began to elastically deform and rotate backward. However, the top surface of the dispensing tray is flat, so even if the tip of the blade moved backward, it could not move the banknote in the same direction. In other words, after the tip of the blade contacted the banknote, conventional impellers simply moved backward while sliding on the top surface of the banknote between them and the top surface of the dispensing tray, without being able to collect the banknotes that had landed on the dispensing tray backward.

[0232] In contrast, in this embodiment, when a banknote is dispensed from the forming mechanism 550, the front end of the blade contacts the rear end of the banknote sufficiently before the banknote lands on the upper surface of the dispensing tray, that is, at a suitably early time immediately after dispensing, to initiate deceleration and redirection of the banknote. Subsequently, the banknote continues to descend rearward until the back of the banknote portion contacting the front end of the blade contacts the upper surface or rear edge of the guide member (located at a higher position than the upper surface of the dispensing tray). After the front end of the blade begins to grip the banknote between the front protrusion 715 of the guide member, the entire banknote is allowed to move smoothly downward and rearward along the curved guide surface 720.

[0233] The blade's front end begins to elastically deform while holding the banknote between itself and the rigid guide member 710. As the blade's front end elastically deforms and moves, passing through the guide member's rear end edge 716a, toward the curved guide surface 720 and then the rear guide surface 722, the blade's front end elastically deforms to conform to the shape of the various parts of the guide member, increasing its contact area with the banknote surface (preventing slippage) and ensuring a longer contact and pulling period. Specifically, the blade's front end increases its contact area with the banknote, increasing the pressure and contact force, thereby increasing the pulling force and achieving reliable pulling without slipping.

[0234] Furthermore, conventional impellers lack the ability to pull dispensed banknotes in the opposite direction of dispensing, and the concept of the blades themselves achieving this pulling effect is nonexistent. In contrast, the present invention employs a guide member with an upper surface higher than the upper surface of the dispensing tray, positioned at a position where it interferes with the blades. This collaborative effort between the guide member and the blades achieves a reliable pulling effect.

[0235] Furthermore, the falling position of banknotes released from the nip n1 between the drive roller and the tension roller onto the dispensing tray may sometimes deviate in the front-to-back direction depending on factors such as the strength of the banknote's curl. However, in the present invention, the impeller's blades can capture banknotes attempting to fall further mid-air and, in conjunction with the guide member, pull them back in the direction opposite to the dispensing direction. Without the guide member, the blades press the banknotes against the flat upper surface of the dispensing tray. Therefore, while a force can be exerted to press the banknote downward (restraining it), no force is generated to pull it backward.

[0236] In particular, the guide component of this embodiment has a curved guide surface 720 that is continuously arranged from the rear end edge of the upper surface and bends and descends from the front upper side toward the rear lower side. The curved guide surface is roughly consistent with the rotation trajectory of the blade, so that the banknotes can be slid backward with room to move and be brought together.

[0237] The curved shape of the curved guide surface 720 is configured to overlap the circular path traced by the blade's tip, centered on the rotation axis 552. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the curved guide surface is configured to be smaller than the curvature of the circle traced by the blade's tip. However, the curved guide surface need not be an arc shape, as long as it can smoothly guide the rear end of a banknote while sandwiching it between the blade and the tip.

[0238] In addition, by setting the friction resistance of the surface of the guide component 710 in contact with the banknote to be smaller (smaller than the friction resistance between the banknote and the upper surface of the withdrawal tray), the sliding between the banknote and the guide component can be improved, making the movement to the rear smoother.

[0239] Furthermore, in the second unit (banknote discharge and stacking device, batch dispensing unit) M2, which includes the shaping mechanism 550, the banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray are shaped to enhance their stiffness and tilt the left and right ends of their short sides upward. Therefore, even without the guide member 710, subsequent bent banknotes can be prevented from causing the stacked banknotes to fall, or the bent banknotes themselves to fall from the dispensing tray. Therefore, when a shaping mechanism is provided, the guide member is not a necessary component for preventing bent banknotes from falling from the dispensing tray.

[0240] However, the cooperation between the guide member and the blade on the banknotes is useful in improving the orderliness of the banknotes on the dispensing tray and reliably preventing them from falling.

[0241] Furthermore, the blades of the impeller that are continuously rotating and moving press the rear portion of the stacked banknotes between the impeller and the guide member, which is also a major factor in eliminating the problem that the subsequent banknotes push out the stacked banknotes.

[0242] In addition, as an advantage of the forming mechanism 550 of the above embodiment, it is described that the banknotes with a tendency to curl upward are corrected, but the forming mechanism also has the function of correcting the banknotes with a tendency to curl downward.

[0243] Countermeasures for Banknotes with Reduced Stiffness

[0244] Next, if the forming mechanism 550 is not installed in the discharge, conveying, and stacking unit 500, that is, if the flanges 605, 607, and 609 are not provided, the weakly stiff banknotes are discharged from the clamping portion n1 of the final roller pair (drive rollers 555 and 600 and tension rollers 556 and 601) onto the dispensing tray. In this configuration, the weakly stiff banknotes, after being discharged, must advance solely through their inherent stiffness, lifting the rod 670 and dropping it onto the dispensing tray. Banknotes with a stiffness force below a specified level are flattened by the rod and cannot pass through it.

[0245] Specifically, regardless of whether or not a banknote with a stiffness below the specified value has a tendency to curl while being conveyed along the discharge conveyor path 510, if the flanges 605, 607, and 609 are absent, the banknote will not be able to fully lift the rod 670 and lower it to the appropriate position on the dispensing tray 700 during discharge. In other words, the rod does not fully rise during discharge, remaining low. Consequently, the banknote cannot pass over the rod and is instead crushed by it. Consequently, a weak banknote is easily buckled in the narrow space between the lower surface of the lowered rod and the upper surface of the dispensing tray. When dispensing multiple banknotes as change, even a single banknote with reduced stiffness can cause poor discharge and alignment of subsequent banknotes.

[0246] In this embodiment, the stiffness of the banknote whose stiffness has fallen below a predetermined value can be reinforced by the shaping mechanism 550, and thus the above-mentioned inconvenience can be solved.

[0247] In addition, as already described, the rod shaft 672 is arranged at a position further upstream than the drive shaft (rotating shaft) 552 of the final roller pair, and is transported in the traveling direction with a stronger force through the transport roller 517. Therefore, even banknotes with significantly weaker stiffness can be lifted up by a stronger force.

[0248] Furthermore, the weight of the lever 670 and its initial angle (the angle of inclination at its lowest point) are set so that the lever can be lifted even when the banknote's stiffness drops below a predetermined value. For example, the weight of the lever excluding the counterweight 675 is approximately 10 g, and the initial angle θ is approximately 21°.

[0249] [Banknote Dispensing and Stacking Device: Second Embodiment]

[0250] According to the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 of the second embodiment, even banknotes with significant deterioration (wrinkled banknotes) can be formed into a desired shape by the forming mechanism 550 to enhance stiffness, and can be discharged and stacked on the withdrawal tray in a normal state.

[0251] When the stiffness of the paid-out banknote B is significantly reduced, that is, when the banknote is wrinkled, even if the short side shape of the banknote is to be formed into a specified shape by the forming mechanism 550, the stiffness cannot be fully enhanced to the level of a normal banknote with sufficiently strong stiffness.

[0252] Figure 15 This is a comparative example showing a configuration example in which the gap G2 of the banknote discharge and stacking device is enlarged, and is a partial cross-sectional front view showing a state in which a banknote with significantly reduced stiffness passes through a molding mechanism in which the gap G2 is set too large.

[0253] When a banknote with significantly reduced stiffness passes through the forming mechanism 550, if the gap (gap G2) between the opening 673 between the branch ends 670a at the front end of the rod and the central flange 605 is too large—in other words, if the flange width W1 is too small relative to the width W3 of the opening 673—gap G2 becomes larger. As a result, as shown in the figure, a portion of the banknote falls into (cuts into) this gap G2, making it difficult to lift the rod. Specifically, a banknote with significantly reduced stiffness tends to have its front edge corresponding to gap G2 flattened before the rod is lifted, forcing it into the gap. Furthermore, as the banknote advances, the remaining portion of the banknote is also flattened along with the front end, forcing it into gap G2. Consequently, the stiffness of the portion of the banknote that enters gap G2 decreases, reducing the force (strength) required to lift the rod.

[0254] As a specific example, let's assume a wrinkled banknote falls into gap G2 to a depth of approximately 2.5 mm. This drop causes the lever on rotating shaft 552 to drop by 2.5 mm. Consequently, the lever angle decreases by approximately 7.5 degrees. In other words, if the banknote doesn't penetrate the gap by 2.5 mm, the lever angle remains at its original upward position of 7.5 degrees. If the banknote fails to fully lift the lever and the lever angle decreases, the risk of buckling and jamming the banknote when it contacts the top surface of the dispensing tray increases.

[0255] pass Figure 15 This is illustrated by the relationship between the central flange 605 and the drive roller 555 shown in FIG. The shorter the distance between the upper corner 605a of the central flange and the upper corner 555a of the drive roller, the stronger the force (stiffness) of the banknote portion between the corners. Figure 3 Compared to the distance between the corner 605a of the center flange 605 and the corner 555a of the driving roller 555 in the first embodiment shown, Figure 15 The distance of the corresponding part in is significantly longer. Therefore, in Figure 15 In the example of the structure, the banknote easily enters the gap G2. When the banknote enters the gap G2, the banknote becomes curved, and the angle of the rod reduces the amount of banknote that enters the gap. This also applies to the relationship between the central flange 605 and the other drive roller 600.

[0256] <Discharge, Conveying and Accumulating Section>

[0257] In order to cope with such a problem, the discharge, conveyance, and accumulation unit 500 optimizes the relationship between the open portion 673 at the tip of the rod and the center flange 605 .

[0258] Below, through Figures 3 to 5 Other characteristic structures of the discharge, conveyance and accumulation unit 500 will be described.

[0259] In the forming mechanism 550, the ratio of the width W1 of the central flange to the width W3 of the opening is set so as to prevent a portion of the banknotes with significantly deteriorated stiffness from falling into the gap G2 formed between the two inner edges of the opening 673 of the rod and the two outer side surfaces of the central flange 605.

[0260] By forming it into a W shape through the forming mechanism 550 and making the central flange wide to appropriately narrow the gap G2, even wrinkled banknotes can have their stiffness increased to the point where the rod can be fully lifted to improve stacking properties, and can be discharged in an upward posture.

[0261] As an actual device configuration example, setting the central flange width W1 to 6.0 mm and the lever opening 673 width W3 to 9.2 mm reliably prevents wrinkled banknotes from falling in and effectively prevents banknote buckling. Experiments have shown that the optimal ratio of the central flange width W1 to the opening width W3 is approximately 0.65. In this example, the left and right gaps G2 are each 1.6 mm.

[0262] Thus, in the present invention, by maintaining a constant width W3 of the rod's open portion and making the width W1 of the central flange greater than the width of the outer flanges, the gap G2 is appropriately reduced, thereby preventing banknotes from falling in. Consequently, even wrinkled banknotes with significantly reduced stiffness can be lifted by the outer peripheral surface of the central flange, improving their shape retention (stiffness), thereby lifting the rod. In other words, by adjusting the size of the gap, the wide outer peripheral surface of the central flange can be enhanced to support the banknotes, achieving a state where the stiffness of the banknotes outweighs the weight of the rod.

[0263] In addition, when a 20-gram counterweight 675 is fixed to the front end of the rod, the banknote needs to lift the rod containing this weight, but since the rod shaft 672 is located behind the rotating shaft 552, the rod can be lifted by the support of the central flange.

[0264] Furthermore, as can be seen from the above, banknotes with significantly reduced stiffness, or wrinkled banknotes, can be defined as those whose weakening (reduced stiffness) is such that a portion of the banknote falls within the gap G2 between the two, when the ratio of the width W1 of the central ridge to the width W3 of the opening at the tip of the rod is reduced to a value below a predetermined value (e.g., approximately 0.65). In other words, even if the banknote's fragility (reduced stiffness) increases, as long as the banknote's fragility is such that a portion of the banknote does not fall within the excessively large gap G2, the banknote's stiffness can be sufficiently enhanced by forming the banknote into a W-shape. Therefore, even with a large gap G2, a portion of the banknote will not fall within the gap. Furthermore, even for banknotes weakened to the point where a portion of the banknote falls within the excessively large gap G2, by setting the ratio of the width W1 of the central ridge at the tip of the rod to the width W3 of the opening to an appropriate value (e.g., approximately 0.65 or greater), the banknote can be lifted and discharged by the rod, leveraging the enhanced stiffness provided by the W-shape and the supporting effect of the central ridge on the banknote.

[0265] Furthermore, when formed into an M-shape, the ends of wide banknotes tilt downward, making them prone to sagging and colliding with stacked banknotes. In particular, even if the center and outer portions of banknotes are clamped by the central flange and roller pairs, the weight of the ends can easily cause them to sag.

[0266] When forming banknotes into a W shape, the short ends S2 are tilted upward, and the top P3' is clamped by the outer flanges, making it difficult for the banknotes to sag. However, in reality, there is a top (frame 660), so the ends S2 will hit the top and slightly drop, and then be transported along the top. However, they will not sag significantly to the extent that they interfere with the stacked banknotes.

[0267] [Banknote Dispensing and Stacking Device: Third Embodiment]

[0268] Figure 16 It is a front view of the main parts of the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 (discharge, conveyance and stacking unit 800) according to the third embodiment.

[0269] Figures 17 to 20 1. This is a side longitudinal sectional view for explaining the structure of the banknote discharge and stacking device M2 and the discharge and gathering operations. Components identical to those of the discharge, conveyance, and stacking unit of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals for description.

[0270] The banknote discharge stacking device M2 of the third embodiment does not have the structure of the forming mechanism of the first embodiment, and can make the banknotes discharged onto the cash-out tray in a state with a curling tendency fall neatly through the cooperation of the impeller 650 and the guide part (guide protrusion) 710.

[0271] In this embodiment, banknotes with a curling tendency are discharged onto the dispensing tray in a state where the curling tendency has been restored, but the undesirable situation of the banknotes falling off the dispensing tray or the stacked banknotes being pushed out and dropped due to friction between the banknotes can be eliminated.

[0272] Basic Structure

[0273] The banknote discharge and stacking device M2 has the following basic structure.

[0274] That is, the discharge conveying stacking section 800 constituting the banknote discharge stacking device M2 is a unit that discharges and stacks the banknotes discharged one by one from the circulation units 30, 40 that receive and store banknotes and discharge the stored banknotes to the outside, and comprises: a discharge conveying path 510 that discharges and conveys the discharged banknotes; a discharge conveying mechanism 520 that imparts a conveying force to the discharged banknotes B (hereinafter referred to as banknotes B) on the discharge conveying path; a final discharge mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the discharge mechanism) 810 that is located at the downstream portion of the discharge conveying path and discharges the discharged banknotes onto the discharge tray; and a discharge tray 700 on which the banknotes discharged from the discharge mechanism are stacked.

[0275] The discharge mechanism 810 comprises: a rotating shaft (drive shaft) 552, which is arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the dispensing banknotes B and is driven to rotate in the discharge direction; and a final roller pair, which is composed of drive rollers 555, 600 whose axes are fixed to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers 556, 601 that form a clamping part n1 for conveying banknotes between each drive roller.

[0276] On a rod shaft (parallel to the rotating shaft) 672 arranged at a position further upstream of the rotating shaft 552 in the discharge direction, the rear portion of the banknote pressing rod 670 is supported by an axis so as to be able to rotate freely in the upward and downward directions. The banknote pressing rod is constructed so that when it is in the lowest position, its front portion can contact the upper surface of the withdrawal tray (or the upper surface of the stacked banknotes) through its own weight.

[0277] While the banknote B passes through the discharge mechanism 810 , the banknote pressing lever 670 is rotated up and down by the action of the banknote passing in contact with its lower surface side.

[0278] Impellers 650 , each having its axis fixed to the rotation shaft 552 , are arranged on both axially outer sides of the driving rollers 555 and 600 .

[0279] On the upper surface of the dispensing tray that interferes with the movement trajectory of the blade 654, a guide member (guide protrusion) 710 is provided as an upward protrusion that contacts the blade and allows the blade to rotate (pass) while being elastically deformed.

[0280] The structures of the impeller and the guide member are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore their repeated description will be omitted.

[0281] <Discharge, Conveying and Accumulating Section>

[0282] Hereinafter, the discharge conveyance accumulation unit 800 will be described in detail.

[0283] The discharge, conveying and stacking unit 500 of the first embodiment includes a shaping mechanism 550 having drive rollers 555 and 600, tension rollers 556 and 601, and flanges 605, 607, and 609. Specifically, all banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray are in a state where the tendency to curl in the longitudinal direction is eliminated or reduced by the shaping mechanism.

[0284] In contrast, the discharge, conveying, and stacking unit 800 of the third embodiment comprises only a discharge mechanism 810 comprised of the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the tension rollers 556 and 601. The discharge mechanism 810 lacks the flanges 605, 607, and 609 and therefore lacks the function of shaping the short edges of banknotes into a predetermined shape to enhance their stiffness. The impellers 650, with their axes fixed to the rotating shafts 552 of the drive rollers, are positioned on either side of the drive rollers in the axial direction.

[0285] When a banknote having an upward curling tendency is discharged from the discharge mechanism 810, as shown in FIG. Figure 18 As shown, it is released onto the cashout tray in a curled state.

[0286] When banknotes are discharged onto the dispensing tray by the drive rollers 555, 600 and the tensioning rollers 556, 601 (the final roller pair), when the banknotes having a tendency to curl upward are pressed by the rod 670 and dropped onto the dispensing tray, there is a possibility that the downwardly bent front end interferes with the rear end of the stacked banknotes and pushes them out, or they may fall from the front end of the dispensing tray due to their own weight.

[0287] In contrast, in this embodiment, a guide member protruding from the dispensing tray collaborates with the impeller to capture a suitable portion of a recently dispensed banknote—in this case, the rear portion—and prevent it from moving forward excessively (forcing it to retreat). This prevents it from falling off the dispensing tray due to its own weight. Furthermore, the rear portion of temporarily accumulated banknotes is pressed against the guide member by the continuously rotating impeller, preventing them from moving forward and being pushed out by subsequent banknotes.

[0288] According to this embodiment, in the discharge conveying and stacking section 800 having a discharge mechanism 810 that has the function of only discharging banknotes onto a discharge tray without shaping the short side of the banknotes to correct the curling tendency, in order to eliminate undesirable situations such as the discharged banknotes flying off the discharge tray and falling, or the stacked banknotes being pushed out, it is possible to deal with the problem simply by replacing the discharge tray with a guide component with a previous discharge tray without a guide component.

[0289] <Collapsing Action by the Discharge and Accumulation Section>

[0290] Below, through Figures 17 to 20 The following describes the operation of collecting banknotes by the discharge, conveyance, and accumulation unit 800 of the third embodiment.

[0291] Figure 17 (a) to (d) are action explanatory diagrams (side longitudinal sectional views) of the discharge and conveying stacking section 800 showing the state in which the front end of the banknote B having an upward curling tendency discharged and conveyed in the discharge and conveying path abuts against the rod, pushing up the rod, and the front end of the banknote has just passed through the discharge mechanism 810.

[0292] Figure 18 (e) and (f) are operation explanatory diagrams (lateral longitudinal sectional views) of the discharge, conveying and stacking unit 800 showing the state immediately before the rear end of the banknote B passes through the discharge mechanism and the state immediately after the rear end passes through the forming mechanism. Figure 18 (g), (h), Figure 19 (i) to (l), Figure 20 (m) to (o) are diagrams for explaining the process before the banknotes fall onto the dispensing tray and the operation steps of the blades collecting the banknotes backward.

[0293] Figure 17 (a) to (d) and Figure 18 The processing steps of (e) and (f) are Figure 11 (a) to (d) and Figure 12 The steps (e) and (f) are the same, so the description is simplified.

[0294] in addition, Figure 18 (g), (h), Figure 19 (i) to (l), Figure 20 The processing steps (m) to (o) are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the discharged banknotes are curled upward and the front and rear portions are bent downward. Figure 12 (g), (h), Figure 13 (i) to (l), Figure 14 Since the steps (m) to (o) are the same, repeated descriptions will be reduced and the description will be centered around the differences. Therefore, for the repeated parts whose descriptions are omitted, please refer to the corresponding descriptions in the first embodiment for understanding.

[0295] exist Figure 17 In (a), the banknote B conveyed in the discharge conveying path 510 contacts the lower surface of the rod 670 at a position directly in front of the clamping portion n1 of the final roller pair and begins to be pressed. The rod shaft 672 is located at a position further back than the rotating shaft 552, so the front end of the banknote contacts the rod at a position further upstream than the rotating shaft and begins to be pushed up. Moreover, a sufficiently long distance L3 is ensured between the rod shaft and the contact point C, and the initial angle θ of the rod is set to a large degree close to 180 degrees, so that the rod can be pushed up with a relatively light force ((b), (c)). As in the case of the first embodiment, the front end of the banknote with a downward bending tendency is given a strong stiffness in the discharge conveying path 510, and the curling tendency is temporarily corrected, so that the rod can be pushed up.

[0296] When a banknote passes through the discharge mechanism 810 , it passes through the nip n1 between the drive rollers 555 and 600 and the tension rollers 556 and 601 .

[0297] exist Figure 17 In (d), the leading end of the banknote begins to protrude from the clamp n1, and the lever is pressed against the banknote, further pushing it up. The leading end of the banknote just ejected from the clamp n1 resumes its downward curvature, but for the reasons mentioned above, the lever can be pushed up with relatively little force, thus withstanding the force of the lever.

[0298] exist Figure 18 In (e), the front portion of the banknote, excluding the rear portion clamped by the clamping portions n1 of the driving and driven rollers, curls downward. However, the rod 670 is configured to be lifted with relatively light force. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the banknote can continue to lift the rod. The height of the rod at this time is not the maximum height of the rod's movable range, but it is lifted to the maximum extent possible. In other words, the banknote is discharged along the lower surface of the rod that has been lifted to the height position shown in the figure, and the front end of the banknote contacts the upper surface of the dispensing tray (the upper surface 705a of the telescopic member).

[0299] Figure (f) shows the rear end of banknote B completely free from the discharge mechanism 810. Unlike the first embodiment, a free banknote is not formed into a straight shape. Therefore, as shown in the figure, at this stage, the contact portion with the front end of the rod 670 is pressed downward, deforming into a concave shape. This banknote has the momentum to be released in the discharge direction, so in the absence of the impeller and guide member 710, it attempts to be discharged along the lower surface of the rod. Therefore, it is likely to contact and push out the accumulated banknotes, causing them to fall, or to fall from the front end of the dispensing tray.

[0300] Then, in Figure 18During stages (g) and (h), the rear portion of the banknote, having escaped the grip n1 of the final roller pair, returns to its original downwardly curled shape. Furthermore, the leading end of the banknote attempts to protrude from the front edge of the dispensing tray in a downwardly curved state. If this state persists, it could potentially fall off the front edge of the dispensing tray. In particular, as the dispensing tray's front-to-back length further shortens, the dispensed banknote, when pressed by the rod and dropped onto the dispensing tray, is more likely to protrude significantly from the shortened front edge of the dispensing tray and fall.

[0301] In order to eliminate this undesirable situation, the present invention is configured such that after the rear end of the banknote leaves the clamping portion n1 as shown in (g) and (h), the blades 654 of the impeller cooperate with the guide member 710 to prevent the banknote from moving forward and push it back.

[0302] Specifically, guide members 710, which serve as projections, are fixedly disposed on the upper surface of the dispensing tray 700 at positions corresponding to the movement paths of the blades 654 of each impeller, corresponding to the retreat space 702 provided at the rear of the dispensing tray 700. The guide members and the impellers work in concert to cause the banknotes B, which have been temporarily discharged onto the dispensing tray, to retreat toward the space 702, thereby releasing the state in which the front end protrudes from the front edge of the dispensing tray.

[0303] The guide member 710 is configured and arranged at a height such that the blades begin to pull the banknotes away from the dispenser tray while the rear portion of the banknote is still airborne, as shown in (g) and (h), before landing on the guide member's upper surface 716 or rear end edge 716a. Specifically, the blades are configured so that the first contact between the banknote and the blades occurs while the banknote is still airborne (at (f) or (g)).

[0304] In addition, the behavior of banknotes varies, so the front end of the blade sometimes contacts the rear end of the banknote after or while the rear end of the banknote falls on the upper surface of the guide member. However, it has been confirmed that the banknotes can be pushed back without any problems in this case.

[0305] The length and positional relationship of each blade 654 are set so that each blade 654 is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the guide member 710 during rotational movement.

[0306] In addition, the rotation speed of the impeller, the rotation timing of the blade relative to the discharged banknote, and the length of the blade (the rotation trajectory of the blade tip) are selected as follows: Figure 18 (g), (h), Figure 19 As shown in (i) and (j), the blade 654c that rotates from above can catch the curved rear portion of the banknote discharged onto the withdrawal tray and pull it down toward the guide member 710.

[0307] By this configuration, even if the discharged banknote attempts to fly forward excessively, the blade 654c can catch the rear end of the banknote in the air at an early stage before the rear end of the banknote is discharged and start to pull it downward and backward. Furthermore, when the blade 654c reaches the rear end edge 716a of the guide member, it starts to clamp the rear end of the banknote between the rear end edge, and then can clamp the banknote between the front end of the blade and the curved guide surface 720 to pull the entire banknote backward ( Figure 19 (k), (l), Figure 20 (m) to (o)).

[0308] Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, by appropriately selecting and setting the timing of contact between each blade and each banknote—in other words, the rotational speed of each blade and the banknote dispensing speed—the banknote can be forcibly pulled downward and rearward the moment the rear end of the airborne banknote contacts the blade. Subsequently, when the blade descends to a position contacting the upper surface and rear end edge of the guide member, the rear end of the banknote becomes trapped between the blade and the guide member. The subsequent rotation of the blade reliably draws the banknote rearward along the curved guide surface 720. Consequently, regardless of any differences in their longitudinal dimensions, all banknotes are deposited on the dispensing tray with their rear ends aligned, preventing them from falling from the front edge of the dispensing tray.

[0309] In this embodiment, if Figure 18 (g) to Figure 20 As shown in (o), the banknotes discharged onto the dispensing tray are temporarily lowered at their front ends onto the dispensing tray (on the telescopic member 705) before being pulled backward. When viewed from the return port, the banknotes behave as follows: they are temporarily protruding from the front edge of the dispensing tray before being pulled backward and stopped.

[0310] Furthermore, the banknotes discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 have regained their curled tendency, so the path and timing of their dropping may vary. Consequently, the blades may not always capture the rear portion of the banknote in mid-air with the same timing. The rear portion of the banknote may also fall onto the guide member before the blades make contact. However, according to this embodiment, even in such situations, the blades can sandwich the rear portion of the banknote between the blades and the guide member and pull it back.

[0311] To explain in more detail, banknotes discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 have a tendency to curl. This tendency is restored the moment the banknote is released from the discharge mechanism, causing the rear end of the banknote to curl away from the blades. This could potentially cause the rear end of the banknote to fall onto the guide member 710 before contacting the blades. However, with the structure of this embodiment, even in such a situation, the rear end of the banknote will become caught on the guide member, preventing forward movement. It will then be caught by the front end of the blades as they descend and pulled backward. As a result, banknotes can be prevented from falling off the dispensing tray.

[0312] Next, based on the above structures and functions of the impeller 650 , the rod 670 , and the guide member 710 , the operation of the impeller to gather the banknotes discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 rearward while being pressed downward by the rod will be further described.

[0313] like Figure 18 As shown in (g) and (h), when the downwardly rotating blade 654c contacts the rear portion of the banknote B ejected from the ejection mechanism 810 onto the dispensing tray while the rear portion is still in the air, the blade begins to reliably capture the banknote and, in conjunction with the downward pressure of the lever, forcibly pull it downward and rearward. In other words, the banknote ejected from the ejection mechanism 810 is forced forward, attempting to move in the air toward the front edge of the dispensing tray 700. In contrast, by causing the downwardly moving blade 654c to contact the rear portion of the banknote in the air as shown, the momentum of the banknote attempting to move forward is weakened, halting its forward movement and further guiding it in the direction of rotation (downward and rearward) of the blade 654c.

[0314] exist Figure 18 In (g) and (h), when the blade 654c catches the rear of the banknote B in the air and continues to rotate downward, as shown in FIG. Figure 19 As shown in (i) and (j), blade 654c presses the rear portion of the banknote downward until it contacts the upper surface 716 and rear edge 716a of guide member 710. At this point, the rear portion of the banknote is clamped and held between the lower surface (high friction region 656) of blade 654c and rear edge 716a. Consequently, as the blade continues to rotate, the banknote moves rearward along curved guide surface 720 and rear guide surface 722.

[0315] exist Figure 20 (o) moment, blade 654c breaks away from the banknote rear end substantially, so banknote stops to the movement in the rear. In addition, also can be provided with the stopper that is used for aligning the rear end of each banknote that is pulled together in the rear end portion of the space 702 of retreating usefulness as required.

[0316] As described above, before the rear end of the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 falls onto (contacts) the rear edge 716a, the blade 654c contacts the rear end of the banknote at a position forward and above the rear edge 716a and begins to pull the banknote back downward and rearward (in the direction opposite to the banknote's dispensing direction). In other words, the contact position (first contact position) C1 between the blade and the banknote can be set farther along the blade's rotational trajectory. Therefore, the banknote can be pulled rearward at an earlier stage, before the banknote has completely landed on the dispensing tray, thereby accelerating the processing of banknote accumulation.

[0317] Furthermore, by providing the guide member 710, the rear end of a falling banknote can contact the guide member's rear edge 716a when the rear end is above the upper surface 701 of the dispensing tray. In other words, the rear end of the banknote can be hooked by the rear edge 716a at an early stage, before it lands on the dispensing tray. Thus, a banknote that has temporarily landed on the dispensing tray, having flown out from the front edge of the dispensing tray, can be quickly pulled backward and brought to a stop at the optimal position. In particular, in the case of wrinkled banknotes, simply pressing with the blades after they are discharged onto the dispensing tray may not be sufficient to fully pull them backward. Therefore, by positioning the blades in the air above the banknote and pulling the banknote in coordination with the guide member, the wrinkled banknotes can be reliably collected.

[0318] According to the above structure, regardless of the size of the long side dimensions of the banknotes, the rear ends of all the banknotes discharged onto the withdrawal tray can be aligned in a line in sequence. Therefore, the banknotes can be prevented from excessively protruding or falling from the front end edge of the withdrawal tray, and can become the optimal state for users to batch remove multiple banknotes stacked on the withdrawal tray.

[0319] In addition, there is a strong demand for making the dispensing tray as small and short as possible. Since the rear ends of the discharged banknotes can be aligned with the rear end of the dispensing tray as a reference, such a demand can be met.

[0320] As described above, this embodiment eliminates the problem of the leading edge of a banknote, due to the momentum of the banknote being released from the discharge mechanism 550, passing over the leading edge of the dispensing tray and easily sliding down due to its own weight. Furthermore, the continuously rotating impeller blades press the rear of the accumulated banknotes between them and the guide member, thus eliminating the problem of subsequent banknotes pushing out the accumulated banknotes.

[0321] [Summary of the structure, function and effect of the present invention]

[0322] <<First Invention (First and Second Embodiments)>>

[0323] The first embodiment of the present invention is a paper discharge stacking device M2 that continuously discharges the paper discharged from the circulation units 30 and 40 that store the conveyed paper and discharge the stored paper to the outside, one by one, with its short side as the leading end, and stacks them on the discharge tray 700. The unit comprises: a discharge conveying path 510 that conveys the paper to the discharge tray; and a forming mechanism 550 that forms the paper conveyed on the discharge conveying path into a short side shape (the shape of the side extending in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction) and discharges it onto the discharge tray after it becomes a specified shape (a shape that enhances stiffness) in the entire long side direction.

[0324] In the forming operation performed by the forming mechanism 550, upward protrusions (curved portions protruding upward) and downward protrusions (curved portions protruding downward) are alternately formed along the short side direction of the paper, and the two end portions S2 of the short side of the paper are tilted upward (protruding obliquely upward).

[0325] In paper processing equipment such as banknotes, there is an increasing demand for recycling machines. When dispensing multiple banknotes, in order to improve processing speed, it is preferable to configure the machine to continuously dispense each banknote onto a discharge tray, and the user can only remove the banknote bundle after all banknotes have been accumulated.

[0326] Conventional machines that dispense bills one by one do not dispense the next bill until the user removes the bill being dispensed. This takes time to complete the dispensing process. However, even if a bill is curled, it does not collide with the stacked bills. The time required to dispense ten bills depends on the time it takes the user to remove the bills, but typically takes about two seconds.

[0327] On the other hand, when discharging banknotes one by one and accumulating them on the discharge tray for batch removal, the banknote discharge speed is the same as that of conventional equipment, and the time required to pay out one out of ten banknotes can be shortened to 1.5 seconds.

[0328] However, in the case of continuous stacking, a new problem of collision with existing banknotes will arise. However, this problem of collision with existing banknotes can be solved by simple specifications.

[0329] Specifically, the present invention can prevent banknote curling, which can cause poor discharge and stacking on the discharge tray (e.g., previous banknotes being pushed out, inconsistent with the stacking state, deviations in the banknote's own stopping position, or falling). Furthermore, in addition to curling, poor discharge and stacking caused by deformation such as folds and wrinkles on the banknotes, as well as reduced stiffness, can also be eliminated.

[0330] The ends S2, S2 of the short sides of the banknotes are positioned higher than the downward protrusion P2, thus preventing collision with stacked banknotes. The possibility of such collision can be further reduced by maintaining the upward protrusions P3 at the same height as or higher than the central upward protrusion P1.

[0331] The paper sheet discharge and stacking device M2 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the shape of the short sides of the paper sheets after being shaped by the shaping mechanism 550 is substantially bilaterally symmetrical.

[0332] The short side shape of the paper formed by the forming mechanism only needs to have both ends retracted upward, but considering the discharge process onto the discharge tray, the seating stability after discharge, and the user's operability, a bilaterally symmetrical shape is preferred.

[0333] The paper sheet discharge and stacking device M2 of the third embodiment is characterized in that the short side of the paper sheet formed by the forming mechanism 550 is substantially W-shaped.

[0334] The short side shape of the paper after being formed by the forming mechanism only needs to have both ends retracted upward, but a roughly W-shape with an upward protrusion P1 in the center and downward protrusions P2 on its left and right sides can reduce the number of parts of the forming mechanism and make it more compact, so it is more practical.

[0335] In the paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the fourth embodiment, it is characterized in that: the forming mechanism 550 has at least: a rotating shaft 552, which is arranged orthogonally to the paper conveying direction and is driven to rotate in the discharge direction; a central flange 605, whose axis is fixed to the rotating shaft; two roller pairs, which are composed of two driving rollers 555, 600, which are arranged on both sides of the axial direction of the central flange at a prescribed interval and whose axes are fixed to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers 556, 601 that form a clamping part n1 for paper conveying between each driving roller; and outer flanges 607, 609, which are respectively arranged on the axial outside of the two driving rollers and whose axes are fixed to the rotating shaft.

[0336] The conventional discharge mechanism for dispensing paper onto the dispensing tray consists of a roller pair consisting of a driving roller and a driven roller. However, the present invention adds only three flanges to the conventional discharge mechanism. By minimizing the number of components, a simplified and compact structure is achieved. Furthermore, while the space for the storage cavity E is limited, this structure allows for a design with margins.

[0337] The paper discharge stacking device M2 of the fifth embodiment is characterized in that it comprises: a paper pressing rod 670, the rear portion of which is axially supported by a rod shaft 672 arranged at a position upstream of the rotating shaft 552 in the paper conveying direction and above the discharge conveying path 510 so as to be freely rotatable in the upward and downward directions, and the front portion (the portion further forward than the rod shaft) passes over the rotating shaft and protrudes onto the discharge tray, the paper pressing rod has a structure that rotates up and down under the action of the paper passing from the lower side thereof during the process of the paper passing through the forming mechanism, the paper pressing rod is arranged in an axial position interfering with the central flange 605, and has an open portion 673 at the portion of the paper pressing rod that interferes with the central flange to allow the paper to be rotated in the upward and downward directions avoiding the central flange.

[0338] The lever shaft is located upstream of the rotation axis 552, and the front portion of the lever protrudes forward beyond the rotation axis. This makes the lever longer and the initial angle θ when descending larger, making it easier to lift the lever when inserting paper.

[0339] The paper ejection and stacking device M2 of the sixth embodiment is characterized in that when the paper pressing lever 670 descends, a portion of the paper pressing lever interferes with the ejection transport path.

[0340] The paper contacts the lever and begins to be lifted up in the discharge conveying path 510 upstream of the forming mechanism 550. The distance between the contact portion C between the lever and the front end of the paper and the lever axis can be shortened, making it easier for the paper to be lifted up against the lever.

[0341] The paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the seventh embodiment is characterized in that it is configured to prevent a portion of paper from falling between the inner edges of the opening portion 673 of the paper pressing lever 670 and the outer sides of the central flange 605 .

[0342] In other words, the width of the central flange is configured to prevent a portion of the paper from falling into the gap G2 formed between the inner edges of the opening and the outer sides of the central flange.

[0343] Paper with extremely reduced stiffness (wrinkled paper) may not be able to fully push up the paper pressing bar after exiting the forming mechanism, causing buckling. This is because the gap between the central flange and the open portion of the paper pressing bar is too large, causing part of the paper to fall into the gap, reducing stiffness and weakening the force holding the paper pressing bar up.

[0344] In the present invention, by sufficiently increasing the width of the central flange to eliminate or reduce the gap, a portion of wrinkled paper can be prevented from falling into the gap. The outer peripheral surface of the central flange supports the paper to maintain an upward posture without being pressed by the paper pressing lever.

[0345] In the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the eighth embodiment, it is characterized in that: the discharge tray 700 has: a base surface 701; a protrusion 703, which is respectively protruded forward from the two ends in the width direction of the base surface and has an upward inclined surface 703a on the upper surface; a telescopic component (inclined surface forming component) 705, which is constructed so that the rear part is axially supported in a groove or hole 704 provided at the inner edge of each protrusion, so that the front part can rotate in the upward and downward directions; and an elastic component, which applies force to the upward protruding position of the telescopic component.

[0346] The telescopic member is always in a protruding state, thus providing a brake for discharged paper. However, when the user removes paper accumulated on the discharge tray, the protruding telescopic member becomes a certain obstacle. Therefore, the telescopic member can be retracted by the user pressing down.

[0347] The recycling type paper processing device 1 of the ninth embodiment is characterized in that it comprises: a paper input port (deposit and withdrawal port) 5; an introduction portion 11, which receives and conveys (feeds) the paper input from the input port along the long side direction of the paper; a recycling unit 30, 40, which receives and stores the paper and discharges the stored paper to the outside; and any one of the above-mentioned paper discharge and stacking devices M2, the recycling unit comprising a recycling drum, which stacks and stores the paper one by one on the outer peripheral surface by rotating forward, and discharges the paper on the outer peripheral surface one by one by reversing.

[0348] This circulating paper sheet processing apparatus has all the functions and advantages of the above-mentioned paper sheet discharge and stacking devices M2.

[0349] Second Invention (Third Embodiment)

[0350] Second, the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the first embodiment of the present invention is a unit that discharges the paper discharged from the circulation units 30 and 40 that store the conveyed paper and discharge the stored paper to the outside with its short side as the leading end one by one and stacks it on the discharge tray 700, which comprises: a discharge conveying path 510 that conveys the paper to the discharge tray; a final discharge mechanism 810 that is located downstream of the discharge conveying path; a discharge tray 700 for stacking the banknotes discharged from the final discharge mechanism; and a paper pressing rod 670, the rear part of which is axially supported so as to be able to rotate freely in the upward and downward directions in order to press down the paper discharged from the final discharge mechanism, and the front part of which protrudes onto the discharge tray.

[0351] The final discharge mechanism 810 comprises: a rotating shaft 552, which is arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the paper and is driven to rotate in the discharge direction; and a final roller pair, which is composed of at least two driving rollers 555, 600 whose axes are fixed to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers 556, 601 that form a clamping portion n1 for paper conveying between each driving roller.

[0352] Impellers 650 are provided axially outside each drive roller, each with its axis fixed to a rotating shaft. The blades constituting each impeller have a trajectory that, as they rotate downward toward the upper surface of the discharge tray, contacts and presses down banknotes discharged from the final discharge mechanism. A guide protrusion (guide member) 710 is provided on the upper surface of the discharge tray, interfering with the blade's trajectory. This guide protrusion interacts with the blade and allows it to rotate (pass) while elastically deforming. This guide protrusion includes: a first contact portion 716, 716a, which contacts the rear portion of a sheet discharged onto the discharge tray by the final discharge mechanism (final roller pair) at a position higher than (ahead of) the upper surface of the discharge tray; and a (curved) guide surface 720, which extends downward (curved) from this first contact portion toward the rear (upstream) in the discharge direction.

[0353] The first contact portion is located at a position where it contacts the front end of the rotating blade, so the front end of the blade elastically deforms and passes in contact. In order to cooperate with the blade to push the paper backward, the curved guide surface 720 and the rear guide surface 722 are also selected in shape and position so that the front end of the blade elastically deforms and moves in contact.

[0354] The paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the movement trajectory of the blade is set so that the first contact between the blade and the paper occurs when the rear part of the paper is in the air, and the matching with the paper discharge timing is ensured.

[0355] Early after the rear end of the paper leaves the final discharge mechanism, that is, while the rear end of the paper is in the air, the blades catch the paper and start to pull it backward, thereby reliably preventing the paper from flying out of the front end of the discharge tray and falling.

[0356] The paper discharge stacking device M2 of the third embodiment is characterized in that it is constructed so that, after the blade 654 contacts the rear portion of the paper at a position higher than the first contact portion and then rotates downward and backward, the portion of the paper that contacts the blade moves sequentially together with the blade via the first contact portion toward the curved guide surface 720.

[0357] By aligning the timing of paper ejection with the timing of blade movement so that the blade contacts the rear portion of the paper at a position above the first contact portion, i.e., in mid-air, the rearward pulling action can be started earlier. Furthermore, as a result, the rear portion of the paper can be brought into contact with the first contact portion of the guide member earlier and the paper can be quickly pulled rearward.

[0358] In the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the fourth embodiment, it is characterized in that: in the paper pressing rod 670, its rear part is axially supported by a rod shaft 672 which is arranged at a position further upstream in the paper conveying direction than the rotating shaft 552 and further above the discharge conveying path 510 so as to be able to rotate freely in the upward and downward directions, and its front part passes over the rotating shaft and protrudes onto the discharge tray.

[0359] The paper pressure lever's base shaft is positioned upstream of the final discharge mechanism. This temporarily strengthens the stiffness of curled paper conveyed within the discharge path, allowing even a weak force to lift the paper pressure lever. The impeller and guide protrusions work in conjunction with the paper pressure lever to control the banknote's path of fall and guide it backward.

[0360] In the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the fifth embodiment, it is characterized in that: the discharge tray 700 has: a base surface 701; a protrusion 703, which is respectively protruded forward from the two ends in the width direction of the base surface and has an upward inclined surface 703a on the upper surface; a telescopic component (inclined surface forming component) 705, which is constructed so that the rear part is axially supported in a groove or hole 704 provided at the inner edge of each protrusion, so that the front part can rotate in the upward and downward directions; and an elastic component, which applies force to the upward protruding position of the telescopic component.

[0361] The telescopic member is always in a protruding state, thus providing a brake for discharged paper. However, when the user removes paper accumulated on the discharge tray, the protruding telescopic member becomes a certain obstacle. Therefore, the telescopic member can be retracted by the user pressing down.

[0362] The recycling type paper processing device of the sixth embodiment is characterized in that it comprises: a paper input port (deposit and withdrawal port) 5; an introduction part 11, which receives and conveys (feeds) the paper input from the input port along the long side direction of the paper; a circulation unit 30, 40, which receives and stores the paper and discharges the stored paper to the outside; and any one of the above-mentioned paper discharge and stacking devices M2, the circulation unit comprising a circulation drum, which stacks and stores the paper one by one on the outer peripheral surface by rotating forward, and discharges the paper on the outer peripheral surface one by one by reversing.

[0363] This circulating paper sheet processing apparatus has all the functions and advantages of the above-mentioned paper sheet discharge and stacking devices M2.

[0364] Explanation of symbols

[0365] 1: Banknote processing device; 3: Housing; M: Cash deposit and withdrawal processing unit; M1: First unit; M2: Second unit (paper discharge and stacking device, batch disbursement unit); 5: Cash deposit and withdrawal port (input port); 7: Disbursement port (discharge port); B: Disbursed banknote P1; P2, P3: Protrusions; 9a: Deposit banknote conveying path; 9b: Storage banknote conveying path; 9c: Conveying path inside the housing; 11: Batch deposit unit (introduction unit); 15: Identification unit; 30, 40: Circulating banknote storage unit (circulation unit); 31, 35, 41, 45: Circulation drum; 50: Recovery bin; 60: Housing; 61: First distribution section; 65: Second distribution section; 65a: Distribution sheet; 100: Circulation unit; 105, 110: Reels; 106a: Guide roller; 111a: Guide roller; 200: Circulation unit; 310: Baffle; 500: Discharge conveying and stacking section; 510: Discharge conveying path; 510a: Conveyor guide; 512a: Roller; 514: Baffle; 517: Conveyor roller; 520: Discharge conveying mechanism; 550: Forming Mechanism; 552: Rotating shaft; 555, 600: Driving roller; 556, 601: Tensioning roller; 562: Base; 580: Paper feed sensor; 605: Central flange; 607, 609: Outer flange; 650: Impeller; 652: Base; 654: Blade; 656: High friction area; 656a: Convex portion; 656b: Concave portion; 660: Frame; 670: Rod; 670a: Branch portion; 672: Rod shaft; 673: Opening portion; 675: Counterweight; 700: Dispensing tray (dispensing tray) : ejection tray); 701: base surface (first upper surface); 702: space; 703: protrusion; 703a: inclined surface (second upper surface); 704: groove (hole); 705: telescopic part (inclined surface forming member); 705a: upper surface; 710: guide part (guide protrusion); 715: front protrusion; 716: upper surface; 716a: rear end edge; 720: curved guide surface; 722: rear guide surface; 800: ejection conveying stacking section; 810: final ejection mechanism; 1000: control unit.

Claims

1. A paper discharge and stacking device that discharges paper sheets fed from a circulation unit that receives and discharges the stored paper sheets to the outside, one by one, with their short edges as the leading edge, and stacks them on a discharge tray. The paper discharge and stacking device is characterized by comprising: an ejection conveying path that conveys the paper toward the ejection tray; and a shaping mechanism that shapes the paper conveyed on the discharge conveying path into a predetermined shape along the entire length of the short side and then discharges the paper onto the discharge tray; In the molding performed by the molding mechanism, upward protrusions and downward protrusions are alternately formed along the short side direction of the paper, and both end portions of the short side of the paper are inclined upward.

2. The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape of the short side of the paper after being formed by the forming mechanism is substantially bilaterally symmetrical.

3. The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The short side of the paper after being formed by the forming mechanism is substantially W-shaped.

4. The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 1, wherein: The forming mechanism at least comprises: a rotating shaft arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the paper and driven to rotate in the discharge direction; a central flange, the axis of which is fixed to the rotating shaft; Two roller pairs, each consisting of two driving rollers arranged at a predetermined interval on both sides of the central flange in the axial direction and having its axis fixed by the rotating shaft, and a driven roller forming a nip portion for paper conveyance between the driven rollers and the driven rollers; and The outer flanges are respectively arranged on the axially outer sides of the two driving rollers and have their axes fixed to the rotating shaft.

5. The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 4, characterized in that: have: The rear portion of the paper pressing lever is rotatably supported by a lever shaft disposed upstream of the rotating shaft in the paper conveying direction and above the discharge conveying path, and the front portion of the paper pressing lever protrudes beyond the rotating shaft onto the discharge tray. The paper pressing lever has a structure that rotates up and down under the action of the paper passing through the lower side thereof during the process of the paper passing through the forming mechanism. The paper pressing lever is arranged at an axial position interfering with the central flange, and includes an opening portion at a portion of the paper pressing lever interfering with the central flange that allows the lever to rotate in an upward and downward direction avoiding the central flange.

6. The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the paper pressing lever descends, a portion of the paper pressing lever interferes with the ejection transport path.

7. The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The paper pressing lever is configured to prevent a portion of the paper from falling between the inner edges of the opening portion and the outer sides of the central flange.

8. The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge tray has: base surface; An inclined protrusion protrudes forward from both ends of the base surface in the width direction and has an upwardly inclined surface on the upper surface; A telescopic member having a rear portion pivotally supported in a groove or hole provided at an inner edge of each of the inclined protrusions so that a front portion can rotate in an upward and downward direction; and An elastic member urges the telescopic member toward an upward protruding position.

9. A circulating paper processing device, characterized in that: have: Paper input port; an introduction portion for receiving and conveying the paper fed from the feeding port along the long side direction of the paper; a recycling unit that receives and stores the paper and discharges the stored paper to the outside; and The paper discharge and stacking device according to claim 1, The circulation unit includes a circulation drum that accumulates and stores paper sheets one by one on an outer peripheral surface by forward rotation and discharges paper sheets on the outer peripheral surface one by one by reverse rotation.

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