Stuffing device and method for stuffing valuable documents into a container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stuffing device (1), a method for stuffing a container (5) with a stack of valuable documents (2), and a valuable document processing device. The stuffing device is designed to stuff a container with a stack of valuable documents, for example, a stack of valuable documents (40) lowered in a delivery area (62) of a valuable document processing machine by a valuable document processing machine (60). The stuffing device has a feed interface (2), a delivery interface (4), a transport path along which the container can be transported from the feed interface to the delivery interface, and in each case, a stuffing area (3) in which one container sent to the stuffing device can be positioned by a gripping device (30) so that the stack of valuable documents can be stuffed into it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stuffing device, a method for stuffing valuable documents, in particular banknotes, into a container, and a valuable document processing device having such a stuffing device.

Background Art

[0002] In a so-called cash center, for example, in a valuables transportation company or a central bank, a large number of valuable documents are confirmed, sorted, totaled, and optionally bundled by a valuable document processing machine. For storage and / or transportation purposes, the valuable documents thus processed are generally introduced into a valuable document container provided in the cash center for storage and / or transportation.

[0003] In a valuable document processing machine, valuable documents are individually pulled out from a stack and guided along a transport path past a sensor. Each individual valuable document is confirmed by the sensor and sent to a specific destination within the device, for example, a sending compartment, according to the result of the confirmation. The confirmed valuable documents are sent within the device to a stacking wheel and received in that compartment which is arranged helically around the axis of rotation. The stacking wheel rotates so that the compartment is stuffed with valuable documents. The valuable documents are swept out of the compartment of the stacking wheel by sweeping means, so that a stack is formed, which is sent out of the device.

[0004] It is also known that a stack of valuable documents sent to the sending compartment of a valuable document processing machine is removed from the sending compartment by a gripper and introduced into a valuable document container. For this purpose, the container is transported along the transport path to a banknote processing device and arranged near the sending compartment. Here, the disadvantage is that each container is returned again along the same transport path from the valuable document processing machine after the valuable document stack has been stuffed. Therefore, it is necessary to wait until the first container is removed in order to stuff further containers.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to speed up the packing of valuable documents, in particular banknotes, into a container.

Means for Solving the Problem

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

[0007] The packing device is designed to pack a stack of valuable documents, for example, a stack of valuable documents lowered into the delivery area of a valuable document processor by a valuable document processor, into a container.

[0008] Each container to be packed has one or more receiving sections, each designed to receive one stack of valuable documents. The container or the receiving section preferably has an open upper side so that the stack of valuable documents can be introduced into the container from above. The receiving sections may be separated from each other by separating elements, which may be integrated with the container or may be elements separated from the container and variably positioned within the container. The stack of valuable documents is generally introduced into the container or its receiving section so that the valuable documents stand on their edges within the container.

[0009] The packing device has a feed interface, in particular a supply port, by means of which the containers to be packed with stacks of valuable documents are sent (individually and successively) to the packing device. In this case, the containers can be sent manually or automatically. The packing device further has a delivery interface, in particular a delivery port, by means of which the containers packed with stacks of valuable documents are delivered (individually and successively) from the packing device after being packed.

[0010] The stuffing device further has a transport path along which a container can be transported from a feed interface to a delivery interface, and a stuffing area that is arranged between the feed interface and the delivery interface with respect to the transport path of the container and in which one (to be stuffed) container sent to the stuffing device can be positioned so that in each case a stack of valuable documents is stuffed therein.

[0011] To transport a container through the stuffing device, the stuffing device has at least one transport device, which is designed to transport, for stuffing purposes, a container sent to the stuffing device from the feed interface along the transport path to the stuffing area, and thus to position the container in the stuffing area, and to further transport the stuffed container (after the stuffing operation) along the transport path from the stuffing area of the stuffing device to the delivery interface. The control device of the stuffing device is designed to control the transport of each container along the transport path, in particular from the feed interface to the stuffing area and forward from the stuffing area to the delivery interface, by means of the transport device.

[0012] Furthermore, the stuffing device or the valuable document processor may have a gripping device, which grips a stack of valuable documents (in each case one), in particular a stack of valuable documents lowered in the delivery area of the valuable document processor, removes the stack of valuable documents from the delivery area, and lowers the stack of valuable documents into the receiving section of a container positioned in the stuffing area of the stuffing device, and is configured to stuff the container with the stack of valuable documents (and optionally further stacks of valuable documents). The above-described control device of the stuffing device may be designed to control the lowering of the stack of valuable documents into the container by the gripping device and optionally the gripping of the stack of valuable documents lowered in the delivery area. However, this control of the gripping device can also be carried out by a further control device that is specifically provided for the gripping device and can be part of the stuffing device, in particular a gripper controller.

[0013] Due to the fact that the container is transported within the stuffing device along the transport path from the feed interface to the stuffing area and then forward from the stuffing area to the delivery interface, the next container to be stuffed can already be transported towards the stuffing area while a previously stuffed container is being transported away from the stuffing area at the same time. Therefore, there is no need to wait until a previously stuffed container is transported away before the next container to be stuffed is transported. In short, therefore, the present invention makes it possible for a plurality of containers to be stuffed with valuable document stacks more quickly in succession.

[0014] For example, the valuable document processor has a setting-down platform in the delivery area, on which a stack of valuable documents to be delivered by the valuable document processor is lowered by the valuable document processor, in particular by the stacking wheel of the valuable document processor, and removed by the gripping device. Alternatively, the stack of valuable documents can also be lowered by a movable platform arranged under the setting-down platform and removed therefrom by the gripping device.

[0015] The stuffing device can have a housing or panel surrounding the transport path of the container. The feed interface and the delivery interface preferably take the form of a supply port and a delivery port in the housing or panel of the stuffing device. However, alternatively, the stuffing device can also be realized without a housing or panel, and the feed interface and the delivery interface do not necessarily have to take the form of openings accordingly. For example, the beginning and the end of the transport path can form the feed interface and the delivery interface, respectively.

[0016] The control device of the stuffing device is preferably designed to control the transport device so that the container to be stuffed temporarily stays in the stuffing area until the gripping device lowers a plurality of stacks of valuable documents into a plurality of receiving sections of the container. In particular, the control device and / or a further control device is designed to control the gripping device and optionally the transport device so that the gripping device stuffs exactly one (only) stack of valuable documents into each receiving section of each container when stuffing the container.

[0017] The container may have at least two receiving sections along its longitudinal direction, and the control device and / or a further control device is designed to control the gripping device and optionally the transport device so that a plurality of stacks of valuable documents sent by the valuable document processor (i.e., for example, continuously lowered onto the same delivery section, for example, onto a lowering platform or a movable platform) are continuously lowered into different receiving sections of the same container positioned within the stuffing area.

[0018] The control device controls the transport device so that in any case exactly one receiving section of the container positioned in the stuffing area is arranged at a predefined stuffing position within the stuffing area, the stuffing position being within the stuffing area and the transport device being controlled so that each container positioned in the stuffing area is progressively transported by the transport device along the transport direction, different (for example two or more) receiving sections of the same container being arranged successively at the predefined stuffing position, and the gripping device being designed to remain there temporarily in any case until one stack of valuable documents is lowered onto the relevant receiving section of the container. In particular, the control device can control the transport device so that as soon as the receiving section of the container where the relevant stack of valuable documents is to be introduced is placed at the stuffing position and each container stops, the relevant stack of valuable documents is introduced. Thanks to the different receiving sections being arranged successively at the predefined stuffing position, it is possible to use technically simple grippers, as these only need to be moved to the determined stuffing position and do not need to perform any translational movement along the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0019] The control device or a further control device can be designed to control the gripping device so that a stack of valuable documents is lowered onto the relevant receiving section while the relevant receiving section of the container to be stuffed is at or remains temporarily at the predefined stuffing position.

[0020] When the stack of valuable documents is always introduced into the associated container at the same packing position, it is achieved that the gripping device can always lower the stack of valuable documents at the same location (at the predetermined packing position). Therefore, in order to lower the stack of valuable documents, it is only necessary to perform a pivoting movement and a translational movement along a single direction (in order to introduce the stack of valuable documents into the container and optionally to remove the stack of valuable documents from the valuable document processing machine), but no additional translational movement along a second direction oriented along the container is required. Therefore, a simpler gripping device can be used.

[0021] For example, the transport device has at least one first and at least one second transport device, and at least one first transport device is designed to transport the container sent to the packing device for packing purposes from the feed interface along the transport path to the packing area (and thus position the container within the packing area), and at least one second transport device is designed to transport the packed container further along the transport path from the packing area of the packing device to the feed interface after the packing operation. At least one first transport device is arranged upstream of the packing area along the transport path and is designed to simply transport the container (coming from the feed interface) towards the packing area and not to transport the container away from the packing area (in the direction of the feed interface). At least one second transport device is arranged downstream of the packing area along the transport path and is designed to simply transport the container away from the packing area (in the direction of the feed interface) and not to transport the container (coming from the feed interface) towards the packing area. Instead, it is possible to perform both transport operations using, optionally, a single transport device with one or more curves (e.g., by means of a T or a conveyor belt) and a stopper to stop the item at the packing position.

[0022] The conveying device, in particular at least one first conveying device, is preferably configured to convey each container away from the feeding interface (out of the feeding interface) along the feeding conveyance direction towards the valuable document processing machine and to collect the container from the feeding interface. The conveying device, in particular at least one second conveying device, is also preferably configured to convey each container along the sending conveyance direction (away from the valuable document processing machine) towards the sending interface (into the sending interface) and to make the container available for collection at the sending interface.

[0023] The conveying direction of the container within the stuffing device, which is the conveying direction in which the container is conveyed so that different receiving sections of the container are arranged continuously at the stuffing position, preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container, along which the receiving sections of the container are arranged. In particular, the feeding conveyance direction and the sending conveyance direction of the container extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container, along which the receiving sections of the container are arranged.

[0024] In particular, the conveying path of the container within the stuffing device extends from the feeding interface to the stuffing area and has a feeding section extending from the stuffing area to the sending interface, which optionally has various subsections. The feeding section and the sending section are arranged within the stuffing device in such a way that they are particularly separated from each other or do not overlap each other. Each container is conveyed by the conveying device over the feeding section and over the sending section up to the sending interface. In particular, each container is conveyed along the feeding conveyance direction over the feeding section or over a first subsection of the feeding section starting at the feeding interface, and along the sending conveyance direction over the sending section or over the last subsection of the sending section up to the sending interface. The sending conveyance direction preferably extends substantially in the opposite direction to the feeding conveyance direction. This results in a stuffing device with a compact configuration.

[0025] Preferably, the feed section has at least the length of one or more containers to be packed along the transport path or in the feed transport direction, and / or the sending section has at least the length of one or more containers to be packed along the transport path or in the sending transport direction. Therefore, while the preceding container is still being packed, the next container to be packed can be temporarily stored in the feed section, or while the next container to be packed is already being transported into the packing area, the packed container can be transported forward into the sending section and temporarily stored there. Thus, the feed section forms a kind of buffer storage for the containers to be packed, enabling the next container to be sent to the packing device earlier while the preceding container is still being packed. Also, thus, the sending section forms a kind of buffer storage for the packed containers, enabling the packed containers to be collected or removed later from the packing device while the preceding container is already packed. Therefore, the operator of the packing device does not need to send and remove the containers precisely at the time specified by the packing device, but has flexibility regarding the timing of sending and removing the containers.

[0026] The packing area preferably has an input side where the feed section ends, and an output side that is different from the input side (e.g., located on the opposite side) and where the sending section begins.

[0027] In particular, the containers to be filled are transported on the feed section by the filling device only before they are filled (not after they are filled), and the containers filled with the stack of valuable documents are transported on the delivery section by the filling device only after they are filled (not before they are filled). The next container to be filled is already positioned at the input side of the filling area while the preceding container is being filled simultaneously, and at the same time as the container that has just been sufficiently filled is transported away, the next container can already be transported into the filling area; in other words, there is no need to wait until the previously filled container is transported away in order to introduce the container to be filled into the filling area. Therefore, a particularly high throughput is achieved when filling the containers by the filling device.

[0028] Preferably, the feed section, or at least one sub-section of the feed section, in particular the first sub-section starting at the feed interface, is offset vertically and / or horizontally with respect to the filling area and / or with respect to the delivery section, or with respect to at least one sub-section of the delivery section, in particular with respect to the sub-section of the delivery section ending at the delivery interface, in particular so as to be immediately adjacent. Therefore, good operability of the filling device is achieved, which is for the operator to send the container to be filled to the filling device and collect the filled container from the filling device in the same work step.

[0029] The transport directions of the containers in the feed section and the delivery section preferably extend at least partly parallel to each other in opposite directions. This results in a compactly configured filling device. In particular, the feed section, or at least one sub-section of the feed section, in particular the first sub-section starting at the feed interface, and the delivery section, or at least one sub-section of the delivery section, in particular the sub-section of the delivery section ending at the delivery interface, extend parallel to each other (in opposite transport directions).

[0030] In some exemplary embodiments, the transport path of the containers in the stuffing device has a connection section, where the transport direction of the containers extends at a right angle or perpendicularly to the feed transport direction of the containers and / or to the delivery transport direction. The connection section can be a sub-section of one of the feed sections or a sub-section of one of the delivery sections. The transport direction of the containers in the connection section extends, in particular, along the front side of the valuable document processor, for example along the side facing its operator.

[0031] In some exemplary embodiments, the transport path of the containers from the feed interface to the delivery interface extends continuously and substantially horizontally. For this reason, the containers can be transported more easily, since no transport device for vertical transport is required. The feed section and the delivery section are, for example, placed adjacent to each other horizontally, and the transport directions of the containers in the feed section and the delivery section extend at least partly parallel to each other in opposite directions.

[0032] The transport path of the containers in the stuffing device can be designed such that the containers are redirected twice, preferably by a total of 180°, for example twice (either in the horizontal or vertical direction) by 90° in their transport paths from the feed interface to the delivery interface.

[0033] The stuffing area can be placed, in particular, on the return path of the containers from the valuable document processor to the delivery interface, or at the beginning of this return path, or on the forward path of the containers from the feed interface to the valuable document processor, or at the end of this forward path. The beginning of the return path or the end of the forward path can be placed, for example, at the point on the transport path closest to the valuable document processor in the connection section.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the stuffing area is arranged downstream of the connection section along the transport path, and the stuffing area is placed on the return path of the container from the valuable document processing machine to the sending interface. The container is continuously redirected horizontally twice at 90° between the sending interface and the stuffing area on the sending section.

[0035] In another exemplary embodiment, the stuffing area is arranged upstream of the connection section along the transport path, and the stuffing area is placed on the forward path of the container from the sending interface to the valuable document processing machine. The container is continuously redirected horizontally twice at 90° between the stuffing area and the sending interface on the sending section.

[0036] In a further exemplary embodiment, the sending section and the sending section are at least partly vertically arranged one above the other, and the transport direction of the container in the sending section and the sending section extends at least partly parallel to each other in opposite directions. Therefore, the stuffing device advantageously requires little space in the lateral direction, i.e., on the side facing the operator of the valuable document processing machine. The stuffing area is preferably arranged in the upper area of the stuffing device, and this upper area is placed above the sending section and the sending section.

[0037] In one of the further exemplary embodiments, at least one sub-section of the sending section placed in the lower area of the stuffing device is placed under the sending section, and the transport direction in this sub-section of the sending section extends in the opposite direction and parallel to the transport direction in the sending section. Also, the connection section of the sending section where the transport direction of the container extends vertically or obliquely upward connects the lower area and the upper area of the stuffing device. The stuffing area and the sending section are placed in the upper area of the stuffing device.

[0038] In one of the further exemplary embodiments, the feed section and the stuffing area are located in the upper area of the stuffing device, and at least the connecting section of the feed section where the transport direction of the container extends vertically or obliquely downward connects the upper area and the lower area of the stuffing device. Also, a sub-section of the feed section following the connecting section is located in the lower area of the stuffing device under the feed section, and the transport direction of the sub-section extends parallel to the transport direction but in the opposite direction in the feed section.

[0039] In order to grip valuable document stacks of considerably different sizes and introduce them into the container, grippers with different opening widths may be provided to release the gripping elements of the gripper device.

[0040] When different container types are used, one or more of the receiving sections are located at different positions along the longitudinal direction of the container and / or have different lengths, and the control device or a further control device may have information regarding the predetermined positions and optionally the lengths of the receiving sections based on the container type. Information regarding the container type of the container to be stuffed may in any case be pre-set or input (optionally based on container-specific grounds) by the operator at the stuffing device, or may be automatically determined by the control device or a further control device based on the identification data of the container (optionally based on container-specific grounds). Therefore, the control device controls the opening width of the gripping elements in any case according to the container type and optionally according to the receiving section to be stuffed (when the container type has receiving sections of different known sizes).

[0041] The control device or a further control device may in any case be designed to determine receiving section information regarding the receiving section of the container to be filled, said information relating in particular to the position and / or length of the receiving section along the container. The length corresponds, for example, to the maximum number of valuable documents that can be received in a particular receiving section. The control device or a further control device may determine the receiving section information, for example, based on the identification data of the container, or based on the position of the receiving section or separating element as determined by a sensor of the stuffing device, or based on container information provided by an operator of the stuffing device.

[0042] The control device or a further control device may be designed to transmit receiving section information (optionally on a container-specific basis) of each container from the sending area where the stack of valuable documents is removed to the valuable document processor. The valuable document processor of the valuable document processing device may in particular be configured to control the amount, in particular the maximum number of valuable documents, that is dropped onto the stack of valuable documents for a particular receiving section of a particular container, said stack of valuable documents being sent by the stuffing device and dropped into the sending area of the valuable document processor according to the receiving section information regarding the particular receiving section.

[0043] Alternatively or in addition, the control device or a further control device may be designed to control the opening width of the gripping elements of the gripping device according to receiving section information items while gripping the stack of valuable documents, in particular while removing the stack of valuable documents from the valuable document processor and / or while introducing the stack of valuable documents into the container. Here, the gripping device may be actuated such that its gripping elements assume different opening widths for different receiving sections and / or different container types.

[0044] To enable the determination of receiving section information, the stuffing device - may have at least one reading device for determining the identification data of each container (the reading device is, for example, arranged in the feeding section of the container or is a manually operable barcode reader), the control device / further control device has information regarding the receiving section position and optionally the length based on the identification data (e.g., a table), and in any case, may be designed to determine the receiving section information of each container based on the identification data of the container to be packed, and / or - may have sensors, the sensors are arranged in the feeding section of the packing device such that when the container is placed in the feeding section, the sensors can determine the position of the receiving section or the position of the separating element that divides the container into a plurality of receiving sections, and the control device / further control device may be designed to determine the receiving section information regarding the container to be packed in any case based on the position of the receiving section or the separating element determined by at least one sensor, and / or - may receive information regarding the container type of one or more containers to be packed (the information can be preset, for example, by the operator of the packing device for a plurality of containers), where the position and length of the receiving section are the same and are predetermined for all containers of the same container type, the control device / further control device has information regarding the predetermined position and optionally the length of the receiving section based on the container type (e.g., a table), and in any case, is designed to determine the receiving section information of the container based on the container type of the container to be packed.

[0045] The present invention also relates to a stuffing device, in particular to a method for stuffing a container with a stack of valuable documents by means of the stuffing device described above, where the stuffing device can send (individually and continuously) a container to be stuffed with a stack of valuable documents to the stuffing device through a feed interface (for example, a supply port), a sending interface (for example, a sending port), a transport path through which the container can be transported from the feed interface to the sending interface, a stuffing area arranged between the feed interface and the sending interface with respect to the transport path of the container, and at least one transport device designed to transport the container sent to the stuffing device from the feed interface along the transport path to the stuffing area and (after the stuffing operation) further transport the container from the stuffing area of the stuffing device along the transport path to the sending interface. In the method, - a step of sending a container to the feed interface of the stuffing device, - a step of transporting the sent container from the feed interface of the stuffing device along the transport path to the stuffing area by means of the transport device of the stuffing device, - gripping (in each case one) stack of valuable documents and lowering the gripped stack of valuable documents into the receiving section of the container positioned within the stuffing area of the stuffing device, and stuffing at least one stack of valuable documents into the container positioned in the stuffing area by means of a gripping device configured to stuff the stack of valuable documents and optionally further stacks of valuable documents into the container, - a step of transporting the container stuffed with at least one stack of valuable documents from the stuffing area of the stuffing device to the sending interface by means of the transport device, and sending the container stuffed with the stack of valuable documents through the sending interface from the stuffing device (individually and continuously), is carried out.

[0046] The grasping device may be part of the stuffing device or part of the valuable document processing machine, or a separate device from these two, such as a robotic gripper. The grasping device may be configured to remove one or more stacks of valuable documents (to be grasped) from the feeding area of the valuable document processing machine, particularly the valuable document processing machine from which a (specific) stack of valuable documents has been lowered. Alternatively or in addition, the grasping device may be configured to remove one or more stacks of valuable documents (to be grasped) from another storage location where the stack of valuable documents has been lowered, or from another container containing the stack of valuable documents to be grasped.

[0047] The present invention also relates to a valuable document processing apparatus for processing valuable documents, particularly banknotes. The valuable document processing apparatus has a valuable document processing machine for processing valuable documents, particularly for verifying and optionally sorting them, and the valuable document processing machine is configured to send a stack of valuable documents of processed valuable documents in the feeding area of the valuable document processing machine and optionally lower the stack of valuable documents in the feeding area. The valuable document processing apparatus further has one or more of the above-described stuffing devices, which are configured to stuff the stack of valuable documents sent from the valuable document processing machine into a container. The one or more stuffing devices can be moved to, docked with, and / or fastened to the valuable document processing machine.

[0048] For example, the valuable documents are banknotes, but the present invention relates to any type of valuable documents.

[0049] Further advantages, features, and possibilities of use of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] FIG. 1a shows a valuable document processing apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The valuable document processing apparatus 100 has a valuable document processor 60 for processing valuable documents, particularly for sorting, totaling and / or verifying valuable documents, and the valuable document processor is configured to make processed valuable documents available to the stuffing device 1 or, optionally, to send the valuable documents to one of its sending compartments 63, 64. Valuable documents can be automatically introduced into the input compartment 61 of the valuable document processor 60 by the introduction module 10, where the valuable documents are removed from the valuable document container in a stack. The valuable document processing apparatus 100 is used, for example, in a cash center.

[0052] The banknotes introduced into the input section 61 of the valuable document processor 60 are individually discharged from the input section by the separating means and, in the valuable document processor 60, are transported past one or more sensors (not shown) along the transport path. Here, the physical characteristics of the valuable documents are detected and converted into corresponding sensor signals, and these signals are used by the control and evaluation device of the valuable document processor 60 to identify and verify the valuable documents with respect to, for example, quality, denomination, authenticity or condition. A switch arranged along the transport path is controlled such that, according to the result of the identification or verification, the valuable documents are transported to different delivery sections 63, 64 or to the stuffing device 1, where the valuable documents are automatically introduced into the valuable document container. The delivery sections 63, 64 are followed, for example, by bundling devices and / or packaging devices for the formed stacks of valuable documents.

[0053] The valuable documents transported to the stuffing device 1 can be, for example, rejected by the device 60 during the verification operation and can be, for example, rejected valuable documents, but the valuable documents accepted during the verification operation are dropped into the delivery sections 63, 64. However, instead, it is also possible to transport the banknotes accepted during the verification operation to the stuffing device 1. It is also possible to install a plurality of stuffing devices 1 in one valuable document processor 60.

[0054] In any case, one stacking wheel 65 is placed within the valuable document processor 1 upstream of the sending compartments 63, 64 of the valuable document processor 60 and within the sending area 62 positioned upstream of the stuffing device 1. By means of this stacking wheel, banknotes are stacked for their sending. In the sending area 62 positioned upstream of the stuffing device 1 of the valuable document processor 60, a lowering platform 20 (see Fig. 1c) is placed under the stacking wheel 65. On this lowering platform, banknotes are stacked, for example, by the stacking wheel 65 to form a banknote stack. In the illustrated example, after the banknote stack is sufficiently formed, the lowering platform 20 is retracted rearward into the device 60 and lowered from the lowering platform 20 onto a movable platform 22 arranged under the lowering platform so as to be in contact with a rear wall 21 placed behind the lowering platform 20 to sweep away the banknote stack.

[0055] Thereafter, the banknote stack 40 thus formed is moved downward by the movable platform 22 and thus made available for removal by the gripping device 30 of the stuffing device 1 (see Figs. 2a - c). However, instead, it is also possible for the lowering platform 20 itself to be movable downward to make the banknote stack 40 available for removal by the gripping device 30 of the stuffing device 1 (the movable platform 22 is not required).

[0056] The stuffing device 1 is used to stuff the valuable document container 5 with the banknote stack 40 that can be used in the sending area 62 of the device 60. For this purpose, the valuable document container 5 to be stuffed (empty or partially stuffed) is sent to the stuffing device manually or automatically at its feed interface 2 in the form of a supply port (see Fig. 1c). The container 5 is divided into a plurality of receiving sections by a separating element 6 (see Fig. 3a). Subsequently, the sent container 5 is transported into the stuffing area 3 of the stuffing device 1 by the transport devices 7 and 8 of the stuffing device, where the container 5 is stuffed with the banknote stack 40. After the stuffing operation, the stuffing device transports the container 5 stuffed with the banknote stack 40 from the stuffing area 3 of the stuffing device to the sending interface 4 in the form of a sending port by a further transport device 9, making the container 5 available for manual removal from the stuffing device 1 or, optionally, transporting the stuffed container away automatically by a conveyor belt. The movement of the container 5 by the stuffing device is controlled by the control device 80 of the stuffing device (see Fig. 1c).

[0057] The gripping device 30 is controlled by the control device 70 and has two gripping elements 31, 32 that are movable away from each other and towards each other by a motor, and grips the relevant valuable document stack between the two gripping elements 31, 32. The gripping device 30 grips the banknote stack 40, which is lowered onto the movable platform 22 between its gripping elements 31, 32 (see Fig. 2a), and removes the banknote stack 40 from the movable platform 22. By a downward pivoting movement (rotation around axis A) (see Fig. 2b), the gripping device 30 moves the banknote stack 40 to a lowering position directly above the stuffing position 13 of the valuable document container 5 arranged in the stuffing area 3. In advance, the receiving section 6a of the valuable document container into which the banknote stack is introduced is positioned at the stuffing position 13 (see Figs. 3e and 3f).

[0058] Subsequently, the grasping device is lowered by a linear drive 34 (see FIG. 2c) from the lowered position to the receiving section 6a of the valuable document container, where the two grasping elements 31, 32, together with the stack of banknotes 40, plunge into the receiving section 6a. The downward movement is stopped and the two grasping elements 31, 32 are slightly opened to release the stack of banknotes 40, so that the stack of banknotes is lowered into the receiving section 6a of the valuable document container 5 (see FIG. 3f). Subsequently, the grasping device is moved upward again from the container 5, so that it is available for the introduction of the next stack of banknotes 40 to be lowered next on the movable platform 22. The introduction of the next stack of banknotes into the other receiving sections 6b to 6f of the valuable document container 5 is carried out similarly.

[0059] When the stack of banknotes 40 is released, the grasping elements 31, 32 are separated from each other to an opening width equal to or slightly smaller than the length of the specific receiving sections 6a to 6f along the longitudinal direction of the container 5. The separating elements 6 (see FIG. 3a) provided in the container 5 may have grooves on the side facing the introduced stack of banknotes, and into these grooves, the grasping elements 31, 32 can plunge in order to release the stack of valuable documents, where the grasping elements should contact the grooves at most lightly.

[0060] In order to enable introducing valuable document stacks 40 of different sizes into receiving sections of different sizes, different opening widths may be provided for the separation of the gripping elements 31, 32 when a specific stack 40 is released. For example, it may be a condition that - in the same or different containers 5 - receiving sections of a plurality of different lengths may be used. Therefore, the control device 70 of the gripping device controls the separation of the gripping elements 31, 32 such that the opening width when releasing the valuable document stack is adapted to the length of a specific receiving section. The opening width when releasing the stack 40 is preferably selected such that the gripping elements 31, 32 do not collide with the separating element 6 of the container 5 when they move apart. The opening width of the gripping elements can be changed continuously or discretely. For example, the opening width can be continuously changed by a stepping motor for the movement of the gripping elements 31, 32. However, in this exemplary embodiment, a discrete number of opening widths are specified for the gripping device 30 by a plurality of mechanical rams that mechanically limit the range of separation of the gripping elements 31, 32 when releasing the stack 40, and their positions are controlled by the control device 70 by means of stop magnets 33 (see FIG. 2a).

[0061] The position of the separating element 6 along each container 5 may be the same for a plurality of containers of the same container type and may also be predetermined for a specific container type. If different container types are used, the control device 70 has information, for example, on the predetermined position of the separating element 6 or the receiving section based on the container type, and optionally information on the length of the receiving section, for example in the form of a table. The information on the container type that is required and to be packed in each case may in any case have been pre-set or entered by the operator in the packing device or automatically determined by the control device 70 based on the identification data of the container 5. Therefore, the control device 70 controls the opening width of the gripping elements according to the container type and, optionally, in any case, according to the receiving section to be packed (if the container types have receiving sections of known different sizes).

[0062] In order to determine the identification data of each container 5, the stuffing device 1 may have a reading device (not shown), which is configured to read the identification data of the container 5 sent to the stuffing device, in the area of the feed interface 2, for example, a barcode reader, a QR code reader or an RFID reader. The identification data of the container may be applied, for example, in a machine-readable format on the container, for example as a sequence of numbers or a barcode, or may be stored in a transponder of the container 5 that can be read wirelessly, for example an RFID tag.

[0063] However, if the container type is not predetermined or a specific container does not belong to a predetermined container type, the position and length of the receiving section or separating element of a specific container 5 can also be determined individually for the specific container 5. For this purpose, the stuffing device 1 may optionally have one or more light barriers (not shown) placed on the feed section 12a (see Fig. 3e) in the feed section, so that the container 5 placed in the feed section can be checked with respect to the presence and position of the separating element 6 - for example, before or while being transported along the feed section. Then, by calculating the difference between the position coordinates of the separating element 6 along the longitudinal direction of the container, the control device 70 can determine the length of the receiving section of the container and, accordingly, control the opening width of the gripping elements 31, 32.

[0064] Based on the (predetermined or individually determined) position of the receiving section or the separating element 6, the control device 70 can determine, for example, receiving section information regarding the length of the receiving section of a specific container, or information regarding the maximum number of valuable documents in a specific receiving section, and can transmit the receiving section information to the valuable document processing machine 60. Then, the valuable document processing machine 60 can control the amount of valuable documents dropped into the delivery area 62 of the valuable document processing machine in the valuable document stack 40 regarding a specific receiving section of a specific container according to the receiving section information transmitted by the control device 70 and regarding the specific receiving section.

[0065] In particular, based on the position of the receiving section or the separating element, the control device 70 determines the length of the receiving section of the container, and then determines the maximum number of valuable documents that a specific stack of valuable documents lowered onto the lowering platform can have (at most), so as to fit into a specific receiving section 6a - f. For this purpose, a table may be stored in the control device 70, and the table specifies the maximum number of valuable documents according to the length of the receiving section, for example, 20 cm = 1000 valuable documents, 10 cm = 500 valuable documents, etc. However, alternatively, the maximum number of valuable documents for a specific stack 40 may also be determined by the valuable document processing machine 60 based on the position of the receiving section or the separating element, or the length of the receiving section, as transmitted by the valuable document processing machine.

[0066] Figures 3a - h progressively show the horizontal movement of the banknote container 5 through the stuffing device 1 and the introduction of the stack of banknotes 40 into the various receiving sections 6a, 6b of the valuable document container 5. The empty banknote container 5 is first sent to the stuffing device 1 at the feed interface 2 (see Figures 3a and 3b). The first sub - section 12a of the feed sections 12a - b starting at the feed interface 2 is, in this case, horizontally offset and immediately adjacent to the sending section 14.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transport device of the stuffing device 1 has a movable carrier 7 in the horizontal direction, which is movable by a drive device along (and back to) at least a sub-section 12a of the feed section in the feed transport direction y. The carrier 7 is designed to receive a container (for example, the bottom or side surface of the container). The carrier has, for example, a flat receptacle in which the container can be lowered, and optionally a stop against which the lowered container can be pressed to bring the container to a defined position relative to the carrier 7. The banknote container 5 is automatically or manually pushed to the stop of the carrier 7 and optionally placed thereon. The carrier 7 can optionally be brought to its initial position by being manually pushed down, where a switch is actuated, thereby sending a signal to the stuffing device 1 that the container has been successfully fed in. The control device 80 controls the carrier 7 so that the carrier transports the container 5 along the feed section 12a in the y direction to the valuable document processor 60 until the container 5 engages with the transverse transport bracket 8 (see FIG. 3c).

[0068] The transverse transport bracket 8 is movable in the horizontal direction (x direction) at right angles or perpendicular to the feed transport direction by a bracket drive device. The transverse transport bracket is designed to receive one or more side walls of the container. The container is transported along the connection section 12b by the transverse transport bracket 8 (see FIG. 3d). The transverse transport bracket 8 then moves back to its initial position again.

[0069] After the movement in the transverse direction, the container 5 is transported in the direction opposite to the feed transport direction into the stuffing area 3 along the feed section 12c and stopped there by the conveyor belt 9 (see Fig. 3e). Here, the container is positioned such that the receiving section 6a to be stuffed is arranged at a predetermined stuffing position 13. Thereafter, the banknote stack 40 is removed from the valuable document processor 60 and introduced into the receiving section 6a by the gripping device 30 as described in conjunction with Figs. 2a - c (see Fig. 3f). Alternatively, instead of the carrier 7 or the conveyor belt 9 or the transverse transport bracket 8, other transport devices, such as transport rollers or a plurality of conveyor belts, may be used.

[0070] Subsequently, the container 5 is moved forward until the receiving section 6b is positioned at the stuffing position 13 (see Fig. 3g). Thereafter, as described in conjunction with Figs. 2a - c, the next banknote stack 40 is introduced into the receiving section 6b from the valuable document processor 60 (see Fig. 3h). Therefore, the receiving sections 6a - f are stuffed with banknote stacks continuously.

[0071] Thanks to the progressive transport of the various receiving sections 6a - f to the same stuffing position 13, the gripping device 30 does not need to move to different stuffing positions and always moves to the same predetermined stuffing position 13 to stuff the various receiving sections 6a - f. Therefore, the movement of the gripper is not very complicated and thus the required space is small. When all or the intended number of receiving sections of the container 5 are stuffed, the container 5 is transported along the sending section 14 in the sending transport direction (-y) to the sending interface 4, where it can be removed manually or automatically.

[0072] Figs. 4a - d schematically show various exemplary embodiments of the stuffing device 1 in which the transport path of the container 5 extends differently through the specific stuffing device 1.

[0073] The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4a has a transport path similar to that of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 3a - h, but the third feed section 12c is omitted. The transport path of the container from the feed interface 2 to the delivery interface 4 extends continuously and substantially horizontally. The first sub-section 12a of the feed sections 12a - b, starting at the feed interface 2, is horizontally offset and immediately adjacent to the delivery section 14. The connection section 12b extends (-x direction) along the side facing the operator of the valuable document processor 60 at right angles or perpendicular to the feed transport direction (y) and the delivery transport direction (-y) of the container. The stuffing area 3 is arranged downstream of the connection section 12b along the transport path. In the stuffing area 3, the containers are stuffed incrementally as described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. The return path of the container from the valuable document processor to the delivery interface starts at the stuffing area 3. The containers 5 are directionally changed by 90° twice horizontally and continuously in their transport paths from the feed interface 2 to the delivery interface 4.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 4b, the transport path of the container from the feed interface to the delivery interface may also extend continuously and substantially horizontally. Also in this case, the feed section 12 starting at the feed interface 2 is arranged to be horizontally offset and immediately adjacent to the delivery section 14 or its sub-section 14b, and the connection section 14a extends (x direction) along the side facing the operator of the valuable document processor 60 at right angles or perpendicular to the feed transport direction or the delivery transport direction of the container. However, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4a, the stuffing area 3 is arranged upstream of the connection section 14a along the transport path. The stuffing area 3 is placed at the end of the forward path of the container from the feed interface 2 to the valuable document processor 60. Also in this case, the containers are directionally changed by 90° twice horizontally and continuously in their transport paths from the feed interface 2 to the delivery interface 4 and are stuffed incrementally in the stuffing area 3 as described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 4c and 4d, the feed section and the delivery section may extend at least partially parallel to each other in opposite transport directions. However, in contrast to the exemplary embodiments from FIGS. 4a and 4b, in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4c and 4d, the feed section 12 or 12a and the delivery section 14b or 14 may be at least partially vertically stacked one above the other. Therefore, in the lateral direction (x-direction), a more space-saving configuration of the stacking device 1 in front of the banknote processing machine 60 is achieved. Here, the stacking area 3 is arranged in the upper area of the stacking device 1 or a vertically arranged configuration, enabling its gripping device 30 to introduce the stack of banknotes into the container 5 from above. The container 5 is redirected a total of 180° in two consecutive steps along their transport path from the feed interface 2 to the delivery interface 4.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment from FIG. 4c, at least the sub-section 12a of the feed section placed in the lower area of the stacking device 1 is placed under the delivery section 14, and the transport direction extends parallel to it in the opposite direction. The connecting section 12b of the feed section in which the transport direction of the container is vertical or diagonally upwards (z-direction) connects the lower and upper areas of the stacking device. The stacking area 3 and the delivery section 14 are placed in the upper area of the stacking device. The return path of the container from the valuable document processing machine 60 to the delivery interface 4 follows the stacking area 3. The feed interface 2 is arranged in the lower area of the stacking device. Along the transport path, the container first passes through the horizontal sub-section 12a of the feed section, then through the connecting section 12b that goes vertically / diagonally upwards, and then enters the stacking area 3 in the upper area of the stacking device, optionally after a further horizontal sub-section. After the incremental stacking operation performed there, as described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 5 is transported through the delivery section 14 placed above the horizontal sub-section 12a of the feed section and thus to the delivery interface 4.

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4d, the feed section 12 and the stuffing area 3 are located in the upper area of the stuffing device 1, and the connecting section 14a of the feed section, in which the transport direction of the container extends vertically or obliquely downwards (-z direction), connects the upper and lower areas of the stuffing device. The stuffing area 3 is located at the end of the forward path of the container from the feed interface 2 to the valuable document processor 60. The sub-section 14b of the feed section following the connecting section 14a is located in the lower area of the stuffing device, extends under the feed section, and the transport direction extends parallel to it in the opposite direction. Along the transport path, downstream of the feed interface 2, the container first passes through the horizontally extending feed section 12, which is in the upper area of the stuffing device 1, after the feed interface 2, and then enters the stuffing area 3, which is in the upper area of the stuffing device, where, as described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container is stuffed incrementally. Subsequently, optionally after a further horizontal sub-section of the feed section, the container 5 is transported vertically / obliquely downwards through the connecting section 14a of the feed section and then through the horizontal sub-section 14b of the feed section, which is located under the feed section 12, and thus to the feed interface 4.

Claims

1. A stuffing device (1) for stuffing a stack of valuable documents (2), especially a stack of valuable documents sent by a valuable document processing machine (60) in a sending area (62) of the valuable document processing machine, into a container (5), wherein each of the containers has one or more receiving sections designed to receive one stack of valuable documents respectively, and the stuffing device comprises: - A feeding interface (2) through which the container to be stuffed with the stack of valuable documents is sent to the stuffing device; - A sending interface (4) through which the container stuffed with the stack of valuable documents is sent from the stuffing device; - A transport path along which the container can be transported from the feeding interface to the sending interface; - In any case, a stuffing area (3) in which one container sent to the stuffing device can be positioned so that the stack of valuable documents can be stuffed into it; - Optionally, a gripping device (30) configured to grip a stack of valuable documents (40), especially a stack of valuable documents (40) dropped in the sending area (62) of the valuable document processing machine, and to drop the stack of valuable documents into a receiving section (6a - f) of a container (5) positioned in the stuffing area (3) of the stuffing device (1), and to stuff the stack of valuable documents and optionally further stacks of valuable documents into the container; - At least one transport device (7, 8, 9) designed to transport the container sent to the stuffing device from the feeding interface (2) along the transport path to the stuffing area (3) for stuffing purposes, and after the stuffing operation, further to transport the stuffed container from the stuffing area of the stuffing device along the transport path to the sending interface (4); - A control device (80) designed to control the transport of each container along the transport path by the transport device, wherein the control device or optionally a further control device (70) is designed to control the gripping of the stack of valuable documents (40), especially the stack of valuable documents (40) dropped in the sending area (62), and the dropping of the stack of valuable documents (40) by the gripping device (30) into the container (5); The stuffing device (1) having the above components.

2. The control device (80) is designed to control the transport device such that the container to be packed temporarily stays in the packing area (3) until the gripping device lowers a plurality of stacks of valuable documents into a plurality of receiving sections of the container, according to the packing device (1) of claim 1.

3. The container has at least two receiving sections, and the control device (80) and optionally the further control device (70) are designed to control the gripping device and optionally the transport device such that a plurality of stacks of valuable documents sent by the valuable document processor are successively lowered into different receiving sections of the same container positioned in the packing area, according to the packing device (1) of claim 1 or 2.

4. The control device (80) is - In any case, control the transport device (7, 8, 9) such that one receiving section of the container positioned in the packing area is arranged at a predetermined packing position (13) within the packing area (3), and - Each container positioned in the packing area is progressively transported along the transport direction by the transport device (7, 8, 9) such that different receiving sections of the same container are successively arranged at the predetermined packing position (13), and control the transport device (9) such that the gripping device temporarily stays there until it lowers one stack of valuable documents into the relevant receiving section of the container in any case. designed as such, according to the packing device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The transport device (7, 8, 9) has at least one first and at least one second transport device. The at least one first transport device (7, 8) is designed to transport, for packing purposes, the container sent to the packing device from the feed interface (2) along the transport path to the packing area (3), and the at least one second transport device (9) is designed to transport the packed container further along the transport path from the packing area of the packing device to the delivery interface (4) after the packing operation, according to the packing device (1) of any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The conveying device, in particular the at least one first conveying device (7, 8), is configured to convey each container along a feeding conveyance direction from the feeding interface (2) towards the valuable document processing machine (60), and the conveying device (7, 8, 9), in particular the at least one second conveying device (9), is configured to convey each container along a sending conveyance direction away from the valuable document processing machine (60) towards the sending interface (4). The stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The transport path of the container in the stuffing device has a feeding section (12, 12a - c) extending from the feeding interface (2) to the stuffing area (3), and a sending section (14, 14a - b) extending from the stuffing area (3) to the sending interface (4). The feeding section and the sending section are particularly arranged within the stuffing device so as to be separated from each other. The stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The feeding section (12, 12a - c) or at least one sub - section of the feeding section (12, 12a - c), in particular the first sub - section (12a) starting at the feeding interface, is offset in a vertical direction and / or a horizontal direction with respect to the stuffing area (3) and / or with respect to the sending section (14, 14a - b) or at least one sub - section of the sending section (14b), in particular the sub - section (14b) of the sending section ending at the sending interface, and is preferably arranged adjacent thereto. The stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The transport path of the container in the stuffing device has connection sections (12b, 14a), where the transport direction of the container extends at a right angle or perpendicularly with respect to the feeding transport direction of the container and / or with respect to the sending transport direction of the container. Here, the connection sections (12b, 14a) extend particularly along the front side of the valuable document processing machine (60). The stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. In the feeding section and the sending section, the transport direction of the container extends at least partly parallel to each other in opposite directions, and the transport path of the container in the stuffing device is preferably designed such that, along their transport paths from the feeding interface to the sending interface, the container is preferably turned twice, a total of 180°, in particular twice at 90°, the stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The transport path of the container from the feeding interface to the sending interface extends continuously and substantially horizontally, and / or the feeding section and the sending section are at least partly horizontally adjacent to each other and at least partly extend parallel to each other, the stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The feeding section and the sending section are at least partly vertically arranged one above the other and at least partly extend parallel to each other, the stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. The stuffing device, in particular the control device (80) or the further control device (70), in each case determines receiving section information regarding the receiving section of the container to be stuffed, the information relating in particular to the position and / or length of the receiving section along the container and optionally being designed to transmit the information to the valuable document processing machine, the control device (80) or the further control device (70) being in particular designed to control the opening width of the gripping elements (31, 32) of the gripping device (30) in accordance with the receiving section information item during the time when the valuable document stack is being gripped, the stuffing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A valuable document processing device (100) for processing valuable documents, in particular banknotes, - a valuable document processing machine (60) for processing valuable documents, in particular for checking and optionally sorting them, the valuable document processing machine being configured to send a valuable document stack (40) of processed valuable documents to the sending area (62) of the valuable document processing machine, and - A packing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, configured to pack the stack of valuable documents (40) sent from the valuable document processing machine (60) into a container (5). A valuable document processing apparatus (100) having the same.

15. A method for packing a stack of valuable documents (40) into a container (5) by a packing device (1), particularly the packing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the packing device includes: - A feed interface (2) through which the container into which the stack of valuable documents is to be packed can be sent to the packing device; - A delivery interface (4) through which the container packed with the stack of valuable documents is sent from the packing device; - A transport path along which the container can be transported from the feed interface to the delivery interface; - A packing area (3) disposed between the feed interface and the delivery interface with respect to the transport path of the container; - At least one transport device (7, 8, 9) designed to transport a container sent to the packing device for packing from the feed interface (2) along the transport path to the packing area (3), and after the packing operation, to further transport the packed container along the transport path from the packing area of the packing device to the delivery interface (4). Having the same, In the method, - A step of sending a container to the feed interface (2) of the packing device; - A step of transporting the sent container (5) from the feed interface of the packing device (1) along the transport path to the packing area (3) by the transport device of the packing device; - A step of gripping the stack of valuable documents (40), and optionally removing the stack of valuable documents from the delivery area of the valuable document processing machine, and lowering the stack of valuable documents into the receiving section (6a - f) of the container (5) positioned in the packing area (3) of the packing device (1), and packing at least one stack of valuable documents (40) into the container (5) positioned in the packing area by a gripping device configured to pack the stack of valuable documents and optionally further stacks of valuable documents into the container. - A step of transporting, by the transport device of the stuffing device, the container (5) in which at least one stack of valuable documents (40) is stuffed from the stuffing area of the stuffing device to the sending interface (4), and sending the container in which the stack of valuable documents is stuffed from the stuffing device through the sending interface (4). A method, which is implemented.

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