Media processing equipment

Abstract

The belt conveying section ensures that the medium is efficiently conveyed in the discharge direction. [Solution] The media processing device 100 includes a belt conveying section 10 that conveys the media by sandwiching it between an upper conveying belt 11 that contacts the upper surface of the media 99 and a lower conveying belt 12 that contacts the lower surface of the media, and a backflow prevention valve (lever member 50) that is rotatably provided near the discharge port 130 of the lower conveying belt. The backflow prevention valve is provided so as to sandwich both sides of the belt conveying section.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , , ,

[0005] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a media processing device for handling sheet-like media, for example, there is a ticket issuing device that issues tickets such as train tickets and express tickets. When a customer forgets to take the media, the media processing device takes in the forgotten media (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "forgotten media") into the interior after a certain period of time has elapsed. Then, the media processing device conveys the forgotten media to a storage bin dedicated to the forgotten media by a conveyance mechanism and accumulates it in the storage bin.

[0003] Near the entrance of the storage bin (the discharge port of the conveyance mechanism), a discharge roller is provided. When accumulating the forgotten media in the storage bin, the discharge roller rotates in the conveyance direction (discharge direction) of the media toward the storage bin. However, at other times, the discharge roller may rotate in the direction opposite to the discharge direction. At that time, there is a possibility that the media near the discharge port of the conveyance mechanism may be drawn into the conveyance mechanism. Therefore, in some media processing devices, a lever member (backflow prevention valve) is provided at the discharge port of the conveyance mechanism to prevent the media near the discharge port of the conveyance mechanism from being drawn into the conveyance mechanism when the discharge roller rotates in the direction opposite to the discharge direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a device in which the media conveyed by a belt conveyance unit (conveyance mechanism) presses down the lever member and advances in the conveyance direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The prior art described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that, as explained below, the medium may not be properly conveyed in the discharge direction in the belt conveying section.

[0006] The following describes the problems of the transport mechanism of the conventional media processing device with reference to Figures 7A to 7C and Figures 8A and 8B. Figures 7A to 7C are explanatory diagrams of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the conventional media processing device 1000 as seen from the side. Figures 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the problems of the transport mechanism of the conventional media processing device 1000. Here, the media forgotten by the customer will be referred to as "media 99a," and the media 99a accumulated in the storage unit 1060 will be referred to as "media 99."

[0007] As shown in Figure 7A, the conventional media processing device 1000 comprises a belt conveying section 1010 that functions as a conveying mechanism, a lever member 1050 that functions as a backflow prevention valve, and a storage compartment 1060 for storing the media 99. The belt conveying section 1010 is a component that conveys the media 99a by sandwiching it between an upper conveying belt 11 and a lower conveying belt 12. The upper conveying belt 11 is stretched by a first conveying roller 111 and a second conveying roller 112, and tension is applied by a first tension roller 113 and a second tension roller 114. The lower conveying belt 12 is stretched by a discharge roller 121 and an intake roller 122, and its upper surface is positioned to abut against the lower surface of the upper conveying belt 11. The lever member 1050 is a member that is rotatably provided near the discharge port 130 of the lower conveying belt 12. The lever member 1050 has a side portion 1050a parallel to the side of the belt and a flat bottom portion 1050b positioned perpendicular to the side of the belt. The lever member 1050 is positioned to rotate around a pivot point provided inside the upper conveyor belt 11 and is configured to contact the medium 99a being conveyed in the direction of arrow A99a with its bottom portion 1050b. The lever member 1050 is biased downward by a biasing member 1051. The medium processing device 1000 grasps the medium 99a that the customer has forgotten between the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lower conveyor belt 12, and conveys the medium 99a in the direction of arrow A99a (towards the storage compartment 1060) by running the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lower conveyor belt 12 in the directions of arrows A11 and A12, respectively.

[0008] As shown in Figure 7B, when the medium 99a is conveyed in the direction of arrow A99a (towards the storage compartment 1060), the tip of the medium 99a comes into contact with the lower surface portion 1050b of the lever member 1050. As a result, the medium processing device 1000 rotates the lever member 1050 in the direction of arrow A1050a (upward) against the biasing force of the biasing member 1051. After this, the medium 99a passes the end position P10end of the belt clamping by the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lower conveyor belt 12. At this point, the upper surface portion of the medium 99a is in contact with the lower surface portion of the upper conveyor belt 11, so the conventional medium processing device 1000 can convey the medium 99a from the discharge port 130 towards the storage compartment 1060 by the conveying force of the upper conveyor belt 11. Note that the end position P10end of the belt clamping is the limit position that can guarantee the conveyance of the medium 99a.

[0009] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 7C, the end of the medium 99a passes the end position P10end of the belt clamp. Then, the medium 99a detaches from the lower surface portion 1050b of the lever member 1050 (it no longer comes into contact with the lower surface portion 1050b). The medium 99a is then discharged from the discharge port 130 toward the storage compartment 1060. In addition, the biasing member 1051 rotates the lever member 1050 in the direction of arrow A1050b (downward) by biasing force. As a result, the conventional medium processing device 1000 returns to the state shown in Figure 7A.

[0010] In this configuration, the conventional media processing device 1000 needs to discharge the media 99a toward the storage compartment 1060. Therefore, the conventional media processing device 1000 needs to keep the upper surface portion of the media 99a in contact with the lower surface portion of the upper conveyor belt 11 even after the end of the media 99a has passed the end position P10end of the belt clamping. For this reason, as shown in Figure 8A, the tip of the lever member 1050 (backflow prevention valve) is positioned as close as possible to the end position P10end of the belt clamping. In other words, suppose the tip of the lever member 1050 is positioned relatively farther away from the end position P10end of the belt clamping (to the left in Figure 8A). In this case, when the end of the media 99a passes the end position P10end of the belt clamping, the lever member 1050 rotates downward. Therefore, the medium 99a comes into contact with the lower surface portion 1050b of the lever member 1050 and separates from the lower surface portion of the upper conveyor belt 11. As a result, the medium 99a is no longer subjected to conveying force, and its discharge toward the storage compartment 1060 is inhibited. Accordingly, the position of the tip of the lever member 1050 (backflow prevention valve) is set at the very edge (very close) of the end position P10end of the belt clamping. However, in the conventional medium processing device 1000, after the end of the medium 99a passes the end position P10end of the belt clamping, the medium 99a may no longer be in sufficient contact with the upper conveyor belt 11. Therefore, the conventional medium processing device 1000 may not be able to stably convey the medium 99a from the discharge port 130 toward the storage compartment 1060.

[0011] Furthermore, in the conventional media processing device 1000, the position of the tip of the lever member 1050 (backflow prevention valve) is located at the very edge (very close) of the end position P10end of the belt clamping, so as shown in Figure 8A, there are cases where the media 99a cannot pass over the lever member 1050. In that case, when the belt conveying section 1010 travels in the opposite direction to the discharge direction (i.e., when the discharge roller 121 rotates in the opposite direction to the discharge direction), the media 99a is taken into the conveying path (the belt clamping portion by the upper conveying belt 11 and the lower conveying belt 12). As a result, it may not be possible to properly store the media 99a in the storage compartment 1060.

[0012] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8B, in the conventional media processing device 1000, the media 99a may accumulate in the storage compartment 1060 while in contact with the discharge roller 121. In that case, the media 99a may be scratched or soiled.

[0013] The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and its main objective is to provide a media processing device that efficiently conveys the medium in the discharge direction in a belt conveying section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a media processing apparatus comprising: a belt conveying section that conveys a medium by sandwiching it between an upper conveying belt that contacts the upper surface of the medium and a lower conveying belt that contacts the lower surface of the medium; and a backflow prevention valve rotatably provided near the discharge port of the lower conveying belt, wherein the backflow prevention valve is provided so as to sandwich both sides of the belt conveying section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the medium can be efficiently conveyed in the discharge direction in the belt conveying section. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the media processing device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2A] It is an explanatory diagram (1) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 2B] It is an explanatory diagram (2) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 2C] It is an explanatory diagram (3) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 2D] It is an explanatory diagram (4) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 3A] It is an explanatory diagram (1) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, as viewed from the back direction. [Figure 3B] It is an explanatory diagram (2) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1, as viewed from the back direction. [Figure 4A] It is an explanatory diagram (1) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 4B] It is an explanatory diagram (2) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 4C] It is an explanatory diagram (3) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 4D] It is an explanatory diagram (4) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 5A] It is an explanatory diagram (1) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from the back direction. [Figure 5B] It is an explanatory diagram (2) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2, as viewed from the back direction. [Figure 6A] It is an explanatory diagram (1) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 6B] It is an explanatory diagram (2) of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3, as viewed from the side direction. [Figure 6C] This is a diagram (3) illustrating the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing device according to Embodiment 3, as viewed from the side. [Figure 7A] This is a diagram (1) illustrating the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of a conventional media processing device, viewed from the side. [Figure 7B] This is a diagram (2) illustrating the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of a conventional media processing device, viewed from the side. [Figure 7C] This is a diagram (3) illustrating the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of a conventional media processing device, viewed from the side. [Figure 8A] This is a diagram (1) illustrating the problems of the transport mechanism in a conventional media processing device. [Figure 8B] This is a diagram (2) illustrating the problems of the transport mechanism of a conventional media processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "these embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each figure is merely a schematic representation to the extent necessary for a thorough understanding of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in each figure, common or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0018] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration of media processing device> The media processing device 100 according to this embodiment 1 is a device that handles sheet-shaped media. Here, we will explain assuming that the media processing device 100 is a ticket issuing device that issues tickets such as train tickets and express train tickets, and that the media is tickets. If a customer forgets to take their media, the media processing device 100 will take in the forgotten media (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "forgotten media") after a certain period of time has elapsed. The media processing device 100 then transports the forgotten media by a transport mechanism to a storage compartment specifically for forgotten media and stores them in the storage compartment.

[0019] The configuration of the media processing device 100 according to this embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3B. Figure 1 is a front view of the media processing device 100 according to this embodiment 1. Figures 2A to 2D are explanatory diagrams of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing device 100 as seen from the side, respectively. Figures 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing device 100 as seen from the rear, respectively.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the media processing device 100 according to this embodiment 1 includes a customer operation unit 101, a ticket insertion and ejection unit 102, a coin insertion and ejection unit 103, and a ticket issuing unit 104.

[0021] The customer operation unit 101 is an LCD display on which customers operate the media processing device 100. The ticket insertion / discharge unit 102 is an insertion / discharge slot for tickets and the like. The coin insertion / discharge unit 103 is a coin insertion / discharge slot. The ticket issuing unit 104 is a unit that handles tickets and the like.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2A, the media processing device 100 includes a belt conveying section 10 that functions as a conveying mechanism, a lever member 50 that functions as a backflow prevention valve, and a storage compartment 60 for storing the media 99. Here, the media forgotten by the customer will be referred to as "media 99a," and the media 99a accumulated in the storage compartment 60 will be referred to as "media 99." The belt conveying section 10 is a component that conveys the media 99a by sandwiching it between an upper conveying belt 11 and a lower conveying belt 12. The upper conveying belt 11 is stretched by a first conveying roller 111 on the downstream side and a second conveying roller 112 on the upstream side, and tension is applied by a first tension roller 113 and a second tension roller 114. The lower conveying belt 12 is stretched by a discharge roller 121 on the downstream side and an intake roller 122 on the upstream side, and its upper surface is positioned to abut against the lower surface of the upper conveying belt 11. The lever member 50 is a member that is rotatably provided near the discharge port 130 of the lower conveyor belt 12.

[0023] Figures 3A and 3B show the configuration of the belt conveying section 10 as viewed from the rear (the direction of the storage compartment 60 (Figure 2A)). As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the lever member 50 is made of a flat plate-like member. The lever member 50 is also provided so as to sandwich both sides of the belt conveying section 10.

[0024] Returning to Figure 2A, the lever member 50 is positioned to rotate around the pivot point 121a of the discharge roller 121 that tensions the lower conveyor belt 12, and is configured to contact the medium 99a being conveyed in the direction of arrow A99a. The lever member 50 is positioned in a nested manner with respect to the upper conveyor belt 11 and is biased upward by a biasing member 51 made of a spring. The medium processing device 100 grasps the medium 99a that the customer has forgotten between the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lower conveyor belt 12, and conveys the medium 99a in the direction of arrow A99a (towards the storage compartment 60) by making the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lower conveyor belt 12 run in the directions of arrows A11 and A12, respectively. The storage compartment 60 has a guide section 61 that guides the medium 99a into the interior. The guide section 61 is formed to protrude from the upper part of the entrance of the storage compartment 60 toward the discharge roller 121.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2B, when the medium 99a is transported in the direction of arrow A99a (towards the storage compartment 60), its tip comes into contact with the lever member 50. This causes the medium processing device 100 to rotate the lever member 50 in the direction of arrow A50a (downward) against the biasing force of the biasing member 51. At this time, as shown in Figure 3B, the medium processing device 100 lifts both the left and right sides of the medium 99a upward using the two lever members 50 provided on both sides of the lower conveyor belt 12. This allows the medium processing device 100 to give the medium 99a some rigidity (i.e., improve the strength of the medium 99a against the transport direction). Therefore, the medium processing device 100 can improve the transport performance of the medium 99a and transport the medium 99a stably. Returning to Figure 2B, the medium 99a then passes the end position P10end of the belt clamping by the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lower conveyor belt 12. At this time as well, the upper surface portion of the medium 99a is in contact with the lower surface portion of the upper conveyor belt 11. Therefore, the medium processing device 100 can stably transport the medium 99a from the discharge port 130 toward the storage compartment 60 by the conveying force of the upper conveyor belt 11.

[0026] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2C, the end of the medium 99a passes the end position P10end of the belt clamp. At this point, the medium 99a no longer comes into contact with the lower conveyor belt 12. However, the medium processing device 100 uses the biasing force of the biasing member 51 to lift the lever member 50 upward, applying an upward feeding force F to the medium 99a. This allows the medium processing device 100 to bring the upper surface portion of the medium 99a into contact with the lower surface portion of the upper conveyor belt 11. Therefore, even after the end of the medium 99a passes the end position P10end of the belt clamp, the medium processing device 100 can stably transport the medium 99a from the discharge port 130 towards the storage compartment 60 by the transport force of the upper conveyor belt 11.

[0027] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2D, the end of the medium 99a passes through the lever member 50. As a result, the medium 99a detaches from the lever member 50 (it no longer comes into contact with the lever member 50). The medium 99a is then discharged from the discharge port 130 toward the storage compartment 60. The biasing member 51 also rotates the lever member 50 in the direction of arrow A50b (upward) by its biasing force. As a result, the medium processing device 100 returns to the state shown in Figure 2A. In this state, since the lever member 50 overlaps with the upper conveyor belt 11, backflow of the medium 99a into the discharge port 130 can be prevented.

[0028] In this media processing device 100, even after the end of the media 99a has passed the end position P10end of the belt clamping, the lever member 50 applies an upward feed force F to the media 99a, causing the media 99a to come into contact with the upper conveyor belt 11. As a result, the media processing device 100 can stably convey the media 99a and accumulate it well inside the storage compartment 60. The media processing device 100 is positioned so that the storage compartment 60 is away from the back (left side in Figure 2A) so that the media 99 accumulated in the storage compartment 60 does not come into contact with the discharge roller 121. However, because the media processing device 100 has a guide unit 61 in the storage compartment 60, the size of the storage compartment 60 in the depth direction can be made smaller than that of the storage compartment 1060 (Figure 7A) of the conventional media processing device 1000.

[0029] <Main features of media processing equipment> The media processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can have the following features.

[0030] (1) As shown in Figure 2A, the media processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment comprises a belt conveying section 10 and a lever member 50 (backflow prevention valve). The belt conveying section 10 is a component that conveys the media 99a by sandwiching it between an upper conveying belt 11 that contacts the upper surface of the media 99a and a lower conveying belt 12 that contacts the lower surface of the media 99a. The lever member 50 is rotatably provided near the discharge port 130 of the lower conveying belt 12 and is also provided so as to sandwich both sides of the belt conveying section 10.

[0031] In the media processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, a lever member 50 (backflow prevention valve) is rotatably provided near the discharge port 130 of the lower conveyor belt 12 and is also provided so as to sandwich both sides of the belt conveying section 10. When the media 99a passes between the lever member 50 and the upper conveyor belt 11, such a lever member 50 can apply a feeding force to the media 99a in the direction of the upper conveyor belt 11. As a result, the lever member 50 can reliably bring the media 99a into contact with the upper conveyor belt 11 and allow the media 99a to stably overcome the lever member 50. In this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 can effectively (reliably) convey the media 99a in the discharge direction in the belt conveying section 10. Therefore, the media processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can prevent the media 99a from being taken into the conveying path (belt conveying section 10) when the discharge roller 121 rotates in the opposite direction to the discharge direction. Furthermore, the media processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can prevent the media 99a from being accumulated in the accumulation section while in contact with the discharge roller 121, thereby preventing scratches and dirt from being applied to the media.

[0032] (2) As shown in Figure 2A, in the media processing apparatus 100 of item (1) above, the lever member 50 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the pivot point 121a downstream of the lower conveyor belt 12.

[0033] In this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 can rotate a lever member 50 around a discharge roller 121 that tensions the lower conveyor belt 12. In this embodiment, when the media 99a passes between the lever member 50 and the upper conveyor belt 11, the lever member 50 can stably bring the media 99a into contact with the upper conveyor belt 11. As a result, the lever member 50 can reliably bring the media 99a into contact with the upper conveyor belt 11, and the media 99a can stably move over the lever member 50. In this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 can transport the media 99a well (reliably) in the discharge direction in the belt conveying section 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 can prevent the media 99a from being taken into the conveying path (belt conveying section 10) when the discharge roller 121 rotates in the opposite direction to the discharge direction. Furthermore, the media processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can prevent the media 99a from being accumulated in the accumulation section while in contact with the discharge roller 121, thereby preventing scratches and dirt from being applied to the media.

[0034] (3) As shown in Figure 2A, the media processing apparatus 100 of item (1) above has a biasing member 51 that biases the lever member 50 upward (in the direction of the upper conveyor belt 11).

[0035] In this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 biases the lever member 50 toward the upper conveyor belt 11 using a biasing member 51. In this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 can apply an upward (towards the upper conveyor belt 11) feed force to the media 99a as it passes between the lever member 50 and the upper conveyor belt 11. As a result, the lever member 50 can reliably bring the media 99a into contact with the upper conveyor belt 11, and the media 99a can stably overcome the lever member 50. In this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 can transport the media 99a well (reliably) toward the discharge direction in the belt transport section 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100 can prevent the media 99a from being taken into the transport path (belt transport section 10) when the discharge roller 121 rotates in the opposite direction to the discharge direction. Furthermore, the media processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can prevent the media 99a from being accumulated in the accumulation section while in contact with the discharge roller 121, thereby preventing scratches and dirt from being applied to the media.

[0036] As described above, the media processing device 100 according to this embodiment 1 can effectively convey the media in the discharge direction in the belt conveying section.

[0037] [Embodiment 2] The configuration of the media processing apparatus 100A according to this second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 4A to 5B. Figures 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus 100A according to this second embodiment, viewed from the side. Figures 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus 100A, viewed from the rear.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4A, the media processing apparatus 100A according to this second embodiment differs from the media processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment (Figure 2A) in that it has a belt conveying section 10A and a lever member 50A instead of a belt conveying section 10 and a lever member 50.

[0039] The belt conveying unit 10A differs from the belt conveying unit 10 (Figure 2A) in the following respects. (1) The belt conveying section 10A supports two lever members 50A on both sides of the lower conveying belt 12 by pivot points 121a (Figure 5A). The belt conveying section 10A has a rotating member 52 on the inside of the lever members 50A (the side facing the upper conveying belt 11, etc.). Therefore, the belt conveying section 10A supports the lever members 50A at a position further away from the lower conveying belt 12 than the belt conveying section 10 of Embodiment 1, so that the rotating member 52 does not come into contact with the upper conveying belt 11, etc.

[0040] Furthermore, the lever member 50A differs from the lever member 50 (Figure 2A) in the following respects. (1) The lever member 50A is tapered towards the tip of the free end (Figure 4A). (2) The lever member 50A has a rotating member 52 on the inside of the tip of the free end (Figure 5A).

[0041] As shown in Figures 4A to 4D, and Figures 5A and 5B, the media processing device 100A according to this second embodiment operates in the same manner as the media processing device 100 according to the first embodiment (Figures 2A to 2D, and Figures 3A and 3B). However, in the media processing device 100A according to this second embodiment, the rotating member 52 rotates as the media 99a passes between the lever member 50A and the upper conveyor belt 11, thereby conveying the media 99a in the discharge direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5B, the media processing device 100A according to this second embodiment uses the rotating members 52 of the two lever members 50A provided on both sides of the lower conveyor belt 12 to lift both the left and right sides of the media 99a upward. As a result, the media processing device 100A gives the media 99a a firmer structure (i.e., improves the strength of the media 99a in the conveying direction).

[0042] As described above, the media processing apparatus 100A according to this embodiment has a rotating member 52 at the free end of the lever member 50A (backflow prevention valve). Therefore, when the media 99a passes between the lever member 50A and the upper conveyor belt 11, the media processing apparatus 100A can smoothly convey the media 99a in the discharge direction with the rotating member 52. As a result, the media processing apparatus 100A can reduce the frictional force between the media 99a and the lever member 50A (backflow prevention valve).

[0043] As described above, the media processing apparatus 100A according to this second embodiment can effectively transport the medium in the discharge direction in the belt transport section, similar to the media processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Moreover, compared to the media processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the media processing apparatus 100A according to this second embodiment can smoothly transport the medium 99a in the discharge direction by the rotating member 52 as the medium 99a passes between the lever member 50A and the upper transport belt 11. As a result, the media processing apparatus 100A can reduce the frictional force between the medium 99a and the lever member 50A (backflow prevention valve).

[0044] [Embodiment 3] The media processing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 described above (Figure 2A) is configured to move the media 99a away from the discharge roller 121 by increasing the distance from the pivot point 121a of the lever member 50 (backflow prevention valve) to the tip of the free end. In such a media processing device 100, the storage compartment 60 is set to the rear side (left side in Figure 2A), away from the discharge roller 121. In such a media processing device 100 according to Embodiment 1, there is room to reduce the size in the depth direction around the storage compartment 60. The media processing device 100A according to Embodiment 2 described above (Figure 4A) is the same as the media processing device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0045] In contrast, this third embodiment provides a media processing device 100B in which the storage compartment 60 is positioned closer to the discharge roller 121 on the front side (right side in Figure 6A) than the media processing device 100 according to the first embodiment (Figure 2A).

[0046] The configuration of the media processing apparatus 100B according to this embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to Figures 6A to 6C. Figures 6A to 6C are explanatory diagrams of the configuration and operation of the transport mechanism of the media processing apparatus 100B according to this embodiment 3, as viewed from the side.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6A, the media processing apparatus 100B according to this third embodiment differs from the media processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment (Figure 2A) in that it has a belt conveying section 10B and a lever member 50B instead of a belt conveying section 10 and a lever member 50.

[0048] (1) The belt conveying section 10B supports two lever members 50B on both sides of the lower conveying belt 12 by pivot points 121a (Figure 6C). The lever members 50B are smaller in size relative to the radial direction of the discharge roller 121 than the lever member 50 of Embodiment 1. (2) The belt conveying section 10B supports the lever member 50B at a position further to the left and right from the lower conveying belt 12 than the belt conveying section 10, so that the medium 99a can be supported by the small lever member 50B without the medium 99a coming into contact with the discharge roller 121.

[0049] Furthermore, the lever member 50B differs from the lever member 50 (Figure 2A) in the following respects. (1) The lever member 50B has an upper surface portion 53 facing the upper conveyor belt 11, a lower surface portion 54 not facing the upper conveyor belt 11, and a protruding portion 55. The upper surface portion 53 is provided in an arc shape and is the same size as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the discharge roller 121 that tensions the lower conveyor belt 12. The protruding portion 55 is provided between the upper surface portion 53 and the lower surface portion 54 so as to protrude beyond the outer diameter of the discharge roller 121. (2) The lever member 50B has a shape on both sides of the discharge roller 121 that is larger than the outer diameter of the discharge roller 121.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6B, when the medium 99a passes near the lever member 50B, the media processing device 100B rotates the lever member 50B in the direction of arrow A50a (the discharge direction of the medium 99a) against the biasing force of the biasing member 51. As a result, the medium 99a passes between the upper conveyor belt 11 and the lower conveyor belt 12 along the upper surface portion 53 and the protruding portion 55 of the lever member 50B. When the end of the medium 99a comes off the protruding portion 55 (no longer in contact with the protruding portion 55), the media processing device 100B rotates the lever member 50B in the direction of arrow A50b (the opposite direction to the discharge direction) due to the biasing force of the biasing member 51. In this state, since the protruding portion 55 of the lever member 50B overlaps with the upper conveyor belt 11, backflow of the medium 99a into the discharge port 130 can be prevented.

[0051] Such a lever member 50B allows the distance from the pivot point 121a of the lever member 50B (backflow prevention valve) to the tip of the free end to be minimized. Since such a media processing device 100B has the storage compartment 60 positioned closer to the discharge roller 121 on the front side (right side in Figure 6A), the size in the depth direction around the storage compartment 60 can be reduced compared to the media processing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 (Figure 2A). In other words, because the media processing device 100B can position the storage compartment 60 close to the discharge roller 121, the size in the depth direction around the storage compartment 60 can be reduced. Furthermore, the media processing device 100B can prevent the media 99a discharged from the discharge port 130 from coming into contact with the discharge roller 121.

[0052] As described above, the media processing apparatus 100B according to this embodiment has an upper surface portion 53 facing the upper conveyor belt 11, a lower surface portion 54 that does not face the upper conveyor belt 11, and a protruding portion 55. With such a media processing apparatus 100B, the upper surface portion 53 of the lever member 50B brings the media 99a into contact with the upper conveyor belt 11 and conveys it in the discharge direction, while the protruding portion 55 of the lever member 50B prevents backflow of the media 99a.

[0053] As described above, the media processing apparatus 100B according to this third embodiment can transport the media efficiently in the discharge direction in the belt transport section, similar to the media processing apparatuses 100 and 100A according to embodiments 1 and 2. Moreover, compared to the media processing apparatuses 100 and 100A according to embodiments 1 and 2, the media processing apparatus 100B according to this third embodiment allows the storage compartment 60 to be positioned closer to the discharge roller 121, thus reducing the size of the area around the storage compartment 60 in the depth direction.

[0054] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0055] For example, the embodiments described above are explained in detail to make the gist of the present invention easier to understand. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all the components described. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified by adding other components to one component, or by changing some components to other components. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified by deleting some components.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to ticketing devices that issue tickets such as reserved seat tickets for concerts, receipt issuing units that issue receipts for ATMs (automated teller machines), and other applications. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 10, 10A, 10B, 1010 Belt conveying section (conveying mechanism) 11 Upper conveyor belt 12 Lower conveyor belt 50, 50A, 50B, 1050 Lever component (check valve) 51,1051 Biasing member 52 Rotating member 53 Top part 54 Bottom part 55 Protrusion 60,1060 storage 61 Guidance part 99,99a Medium 100, 100A, 100B, 1000 Media Processing Equipment (Ticket Issuing Equipment) 101 Customer operation department 102 Ticket insertion / discharge section 103 Coin insertion / discharge section 104 Ticketing Department 111 First conveyor roller 112 Second conveyor roller 113 First Tension Roller 114 Second Tension Roller 121 Discharge roller (first conveyor roller) 121a Pivot 122 Intake roller (second conveyor roller) 130 Outlet 1050a Side part 1050b Bottom part P10end End position

Claims

1. A belt conveying unit that conveys the medium by clamping it between an upper conveying belt that contacts the upper surface of the medium and a lower conveying belt that contacts the lower surface of the medium, The lower conveyor belt is equipped with a rotatable backflow prevention valve located near the discharge port, The aforementioned backflow prevention valve is provided so as to sandwich both sides of the belt conveying section. A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

2. In the media processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned backflow prevention valve is rotatably mounted with respect to the pivot point downstream of the lower conveyor belt. A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

3. In the media processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned backflow prevention valve has a biasing member that biases it upward. A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

4. In the media processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned backflow prevention valve has a rotating member at the tip of the free end. A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

5. In the media processing apparatus according to claim 1, The backflow prevention valve has an upper surface portion facing the upper conveyor belt, a lower surface portion not facing the upper conveyor belt, and a protruding portion provided between the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion. The upper portion is provided in an arc shape with a size equivalent to or partially smaller than the outer diameter of the discharge roller on which the lower conveyor belt is stretched. The aforementioned protrusion is provided so as to extend beyond the outer diameter of the discharge roller. A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

Images