Currency storage device, currency processing device, and currency storage method

Abstract

A large number of coins can be stored in a storage bag at once. [Solution] The currency storage device comprises a pair of plates 71 that accumulate currency on an accumulation surface 710 in a support position aligned in a first direction, and a pusher 5 that stores the currency into a storage bag 9 by pushing the currency accumulated on the accumulation surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The pair of plates change from a support position to a passing position, and the currency pushed by the pusher is guided to the accumulation surface of the pair of plates in the passing position, and passes between the pair of plates to be stored in the storage bag.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a currency storage device, a currency processing device, and a currency storage method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a conventional banknote storage device. The banknote storage device stores banknotes in a disposable storage bag. The conventional banknote storage device includes a container for temporarily storing banknotes and a piston for pushing the banknotes stored in the container toward the bottom of the container.

[0003] An opening is provided at the bottom of the container. The opening is significantly narrower than the width of the banknote. Since the banknote does not pass through the opening unless pushed by the piston, it accumulates at the bottom of the container.

[0004] The storage bag is fixed near the opening at the bottom of the container. When the piston pushes the banknotes downward with the banknotes stacked at the bottom of the container, the bundle of banknotes is pushed by the piston, passes through the opening, and is stored in the storage bag.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the conventional banknote storage device, the width of the opening of the container is narrow. The number of banknotes that can pass through the opening at once when pushed by the piston is small. When storing a large number of banknotes in the storage bag, the conventional banknote storage device has to repeatedly accumulate the banknotes in the container and push out the accumulated banknotes many times.

[0007] Increasing the width of the container's opening increases the number of banknotes that can pass through. However, if the opening is wide enough, the container cannot stably store the banknotes.

[0008] The technology disclosed herein allows for the storage of a large number of coins in a storage bag at once. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The technology disclosed herein relates to a coin storage device. The coin storage device is In a support position aligned in the first direction, a pair of plates for accumulating coins are provided on the accumulation surface, The device comprises a pusher that pushes the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction, thereby storing the coins in a storage bag. The pair of plates change from the support position to the passing position, The coins pushed by the pusher are guided to the accumulation surface of the pair of plates in the passing position and pass between the pair of plates to be stored in the storage bag.

[0010] A pair of plates provides support when accumulating money. For example, by narrowing the spacing between plates aligned in the first direction, a pair of plates can stably accumulate money.

[0011] When the accumulated coins are placed into the storage bag by the pusher, the pair of plates change to a passing position. By changing to a passing position, the gap between the plates widens, allowing a large number of coins to pass between the pair of plates at once.

[0012] The pair of plates in the passing position guide the coins through their accumulation surfaces. Even if the opening of the storage bag is narrow, the coins pushed by the pusher are stably stored in the bag. The narrow opening of the storage bag is advantageous for making the coin storage device more compact.

[0013] Another currency storage device disclosed herein is: A pair of plates that accumulate coins on the accumulation surface in a support position aligned in the first direction, The device comprises a pusher that pushes the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction, thereby storing the coins in a storage bag. The coins pushed by the pusher pass between the pair of plates, which change from a support position to a passing position, and are stored in the storage bag. The distance between the pair of plates in the passing position in the first direction is narrower than the width of the banknote in the first direction.

[0014] Another currency storage device disclosed herein is: A pair of plates that accumulate coins on the accumulation surface in a support position aligned in the first direction, The device comprises a pusher that pushes the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction, thereby storing the coins in a storage bag. The coins pushed by the pusher pass between the pair of plates, which have been displaced from the support position to the passing position, and are pushed into the storage bag. The pair of plates are each pivotally supported on axes perpendicular to the first and second directions, and change from the support position to the passing position by rotating in the second direction. The distance between the aforementioned pivots is narrower than the width of the coin in the first direction.

[0015] A pair of plates, pivoted on an axis, rotate, widening the distance between them. The pusher and the pair of plates allow a large number of coins to be stored in the storage bag at once.

[0016] The angle that each of the pair of plates makes with respect to the support position in the passing position may be 80° or less.

[0017] If the angle between a pair of plates is greater than 80°, the gap between the plates becomes too large.

[0018] If the angle formed by the pair of plates is 80° or less, although the distance between the plates is relatively large, the plates can pass the banknote between the pair of plates while guiding the currency.

[0019] The currency passing between the pair of plates may be bent in the second direction by being sandwiched between the pusher and the pair of plates.

[0020] By bending the currency and passing it between the pair of plates, even if the mouth of the storage bag is narrow, the currency can be stably stored in the storage bag.

[0021] The currency storage device further includes a stage that is located on the opposite side of the pusher across the pair of plates and supports the currency stored in the storage bag. The stage may hold the currency between itself and the pusher when the pusher pushes the currency in.

[0022] Since the currency is held between the pusher and the stage, the currency storage device can stably store the currency in the storage bag. Also, the currency is stably stacked inside the storage bag.

[0023] The stage may move in the second direction between a first position close to the pair of plates and a second position away from the pair of plates according to the amount of currency stored in the storage bag.

[0024] The stage may be located at the first position and hold the currency first stored in the storage bag when the storage bag is empty. As the amount of currency stored in the storage bag increases, the stage may move from the first position toward the second position.

[0025] The currency storage device further includes a moving mechanism for moving the stage. The moving mechanism may include a first base that supports the stage so as to be movable in the second direction, and a second base that supports the first base so as to be movable in the second direction.

[0026] By having both the stage and the first base move, the movement mechanism allows for a large range of stage movement while maintaining a compact structure.

[0027] The moving mechanism is supported by the first base and has a belt wrapped between a pair of pulleys. The stage engages with the first carriage fixed to the belt, The second base may engage with a second carriage fixed to the belt.

[0028] The coin storage device further includes a controller that determines the full amount of coins stored in the storage bag based on a first full-amount standard or a second full-amount standard. The first full-capacity criterion is that the number of coins stored in the storage bag reaches the full capacity. The second full-fill criterion may be defined as the number of coins stored in the storage bag being less than the full-fill number, and the stacked ends of the coins piled up in the storage bag reaching the full-fill position.

[0029] If the coins stored in the storage bag are relatively clean (for example, official sealed notes), the volume of the coins stacked inside the bag will be proportional to the number of coins. If the coins stored in the storage bag are wrinkled (so-called rough notes), the coins stacked inside the bag will expand, making the overall volume relatively higher than the number of coins.

[0030] When sealing the opening of a storage bag, bulkier coins are more likely to get caught in the opening. Therefore, by setting the maximum amount of coins to be stored in the bag based on the position of the stacked ends of the coins, using bulkier coins as a reference, the possibility of coins getting caught in the opening can be reduced.

[0031] However, if the coins are relatively clean and stored in the pouch, the likelihood of the coins getting caught in the opening is low, even if the distance between the stacked ends of the coins and the opening of the pouch is somewhat short. If the coins are relatively clean, increasing the amount of coins will not cause any problems with sealing the pouch.

[0032] Therefore, the currency storage device determines the full amount of currency stored in the storage bag based on the first or second full-amount standard.

[0033] The first maximum capacity standard is based on the number of coins stored in the storage bag. The first maximum capacity standard is the standard when relatively clean coins are stored in the storage bag. The coin storage device can store a large amount of coins in the storage bag according to the first maximum capacity standard.

[0034] The second maximum capacity standard is the standard when bulky coins are stored in the storage bag. The second maximum capacity standard is a standard based on the position of the stacked ends of coins piled up inside the storage bag. By adhering to the second maximum capacity standard, the coin storage device can ensure a sufficiently long distance between the stacked ends of coins and the opening of the storage bag, thereby preventing coins from getting caught in the opening when the storage bag is sealed.

[0035] The coin storage device further includes a sensor that detects when the pusher, which performs the pushing motion, has reached the maximum pushing position. The controller may determine the maximum amount of money stored in the storage bag based on the first or second maximum amount criterion when a stage that supports the money stored in the storage bag and displaces according to the amount of money reaches its lowest position and the sensor detects the pusher reaching its lowest position.

[0036] When bulky coins are stored in the storage bag, the pusher compresses the stacked coins. On the other hand, if relatively clean coins are stored in the storage bag, the stacked coins are hardly compressed even when the pusher is pressed. Regardless of the condition of the coins stored in the storage bag, if it is detected that the stage has reached its lowest position and the pusher has reached its maximum pushing position, it is determined that the storage bag is full or nearly full.

[0037] The controller can accurately determine the full amount of currency by adding the sensor's detection of the pusher's reach to the determination of fullness based on the first or second fullness criterion.

[0038] The controller may further determine the maximum amount of money stored in the storage bag based on a third maximum criterion, where the stage reaches its lowest position and the sensor does not detect the pusher reaching its lowest position.

[0039] If the coins stored in the storage bag are relatively clean and thick, the likelihood of the coins getting caught in the opening is low, even if the distance between the stacked coins and the opening of the storage bag is somewhat short. On the other hand, the bulk of the stacked coins will be greater due to their thickness, so the pusher will not be able to reach its maximum pushing position.

[0040] Therefore, the controller determines the maximum amount of currency stored in the storage bag based on the third maximum amount criterion. The currency storage device can store a large amount of thick currency in the storage bag.

[0041] The pusher's drive mechanism may include a torque limiter interposed between the drive source and the pusher.

[0042] The torque limiter allows the pusher's reach to be varied according to the height of the coins, even with the same driving force generated by the drive source.

[0043] For example, the position reached by the pusher when full capacity is determined based on the first full capacity criterion may be a position in the opposite direction of pushing than the position reached by the pusher when full capacity is determined based on the second full capacity criterion, due to the operation of the torque limiter.

[0044] The aforementioned coin storage device further comprises a sealing mechanism for sealing the opening of the storage bag, While the pusher is pushing the coins in, the sealing mechanism starts the sealing operation, and after the sealing operation has started, the pusher retracts to the outside of the storage bag. The position of the pusher at the start of the sealing operation may differ depending on whether the full volume is determined by the first full volume criterion or by the second full volume criterion.

[0045] When the full volume is determined by the first full volume criterion, the pusher is closer to the sealing mechanism than when the full volume is determined by the second full volume criterion. In other words, the amount the pusher is pressed in is smaller.

[0046] The amount the pusher is pressed is greater when the full volume is determined according to the second full volume standard.

[0047] The aforementioned currency storage device is A first retaining part that holds the first edge of the opening of the storage bag, A second retaining portion that holds the second edge opposite to the first edge in the opening and closing direction of the opening, The device further comprises a third retaining portion that holds the third edge between the first edge and the second edge, The third retaining portion is supported by the first retaining portion so as to be movable relative to the first retaining portion, With the third retaining part holding the third edge, the first edge is held by the first retaining part and the second edge is held by the second retaining part, so that the third retaining part is pulled by the storage bag and positioned in the normal position. The coin storage device may further include a second sensor that detects when the third holding portion is positioned in the normal position. The second sensor may be, for example, an optical sensor.

[0048] If the third edge is not held by the third retaining part, the third retaining part is not pulled by the storage bag and therefore does not move relative to the first retaining part.

[0049] Furthermore, even when the second edge is not held by the second retaining part, and the second retaining part and the first retaining part move apart in the opening and closing direction, the third retaining part is not pulled by the storage bag and therefore does not move relative to the first retaining part.

[0050] The currency processing device disclosed herein is The deposit section, It comprises a coin storage device for storing the coins sent out from the deposit section, The aforementioned currency storage device is A pair of plates that accumulate coins on the accumulation surface in a support position aligned in the first direction, The device includes a pusher that stores the accumulated coins in a storage bag by performing a pushing motion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface. The coins pushed by the pusher pass between the pair of plates, which change from a support position to a passing position, and are stored in the storage bag. The distance between the pair of plates in the passing position in the first direction is narrower than the width of the coin in the first direction.

[0051] The currency storage method disclosed herein is: On the accumulation surface of the pair of supporting plates, coins are accumulated. The pusher pushes the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface toward the storage bag, and the pair of plates change from the support position to the passing position. The accumulation surfaces of the pair of plates in the passing position guide the coins that are pushed by the pusher. The coins are placed into the storage bag by passing between the pair of plates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0052] The aforementioned currency storage device, currency processing device, or currency storage method has a compact configuration and can store a large number of coins in a storage bag at once. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the external appearance of the banknote processing device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the internal structure of a banknote processing device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the storage bag. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a plan view and a side view of the banknote storage device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view (AA) of the banknote storage device with the opening of the storage bag open. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a case where the storage bag is not properly attached. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a case where the storage bag is not properly attached. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the correspondence between sensor detection and the attachment status of the storage bag. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of the banknote storage device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the stage movement mechanism. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the drive mechanism of the pusher. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the sequence of actions involved in placing banknotes into a storage bag. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows a modified version of the plate. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows the correspondence between the pusher position and the sensor detection state. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure for determining full capacity. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows the pusher in the standby position and in the state after the pushing operation has been performed. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows the state when the lowest position of the stage is detected, and the state when the full position at the end of the stack is detected. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows the state where the stage has reached its lowest position, but the pusher has not reached its maximum push-in position. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows the mechanism for extending the storage bag. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a diagram showing the transitions in the sealing operation of the opening of the storage bag. [Figure 21] Figure 21 shows the structure that holds the edge of the opening of the storage bag. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] The following describes embodiments of a currency storage device, currency processing device, and currency storage method with reference to the drawings. The currency storage device, currency processing device, and currency storage method described herein are illustrative examples.

[0055] (currency processing equipment) Figure 1 shows the external appearance of the currency processing device. Figure 2 shows the internal structure of the currency processing device. The currency processing device is a banknote processing device 1 that processes banknotes.

[0056] For the convenience of describing the banknote processing device 1 and the banknote storage device 2 as a media storage device, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined as follows: The X direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the banknote processing device 1. The front of the banknote processing device 1 is the side that the user using the banknote processing device 1 faces, where the deposit section 11 and the withdrawal section 12 are located, and where the second storage section 20 is pulled out. The rear of the banknote processing device 1 is the opposite side from the front of the banknote processing device 1. The Y direction is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction and corresponds to the left-to-right direction of the banknote processing device 1. The left side of the banknote processing device 1 is to the left with respect to the user facing the banknote processing device 1, and the right side is to the right with respect to the user. The Z direction is a vertical direction perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The X, Y, and Z directions, as well as front and rear, are used only in describing the banknote processing device 1 and the banknote storage device 2, and are not used to limit the structure or shape of the banknote processing device 1 and the banknote storage device 2.

[0057] The banknote processing device 1 includes a deposit unit 11. The deposit unit 11 feeds banknotes into the device. The banknote processing device 1 includes a dispensing unit 12. The banknote processing device 1 dispenses banknotes to the dispensing unit 12. The banknote processing device 1 includes an identification unit 13. The identification unit 13 identifies banknotes. The banknote processing device 1 includes a transport unit 14. The transport unit 14 transports banknotes one by one.

[0058] The banknote processing device 1 includes a first storage section 15. The first storage section 15 stores banknotes and also dispenses the stored banknotes. The first storage section 15 is, for example, a drum-type storage section that stores banknotes by winding them onto the outer surface of a drum. The first storage section 15 is not limited to a drum-type storage section. The banknote processing device 1 may have multiple first storage sections 15. The number of first storage sections 15 provided in the banknote processing device 1 is not limited to a specific number.

[0059] The banknote processing device 1 includes a second storage section 20. The second storage section 20 includes a banknote storage device 2. The banknote storage device 2 is capable of having a storage bag 9 attached, and stores banknotes in the storage bag 9. The second storage section 20 stores banknotes but does not dispense the stored banknotes.

[0060] The banknote processing device 1 performs deposit processing. In deposit processing, the deposit unit 11 feeds banknotes into the device one by one. The transport unit 14 transports the banknotes to the identification unit 13. The identification unit 13 identifies the denomination, authenticity, and value of the banknotes, and also counts them. Based on the identification result of the identification unit 13, the transport unit 14 transports the banknotes to the first storage unit 15, the second storage unit 20, or the dispensing unit 12. Banknotes that can be deposited are transported to the first storage unit 15. Multiple first storage units 15 store banknotes, for example, by denomination. Banknotes that can be deposited but cannot be stored in the first storage unit 15 are transported to the second storage unit 20. For example, if the first storage unit 15 is full and cannot store banknotes, the second storage unit 20 stores the banknotes in the storage bag 9. Banknotes that cannot be deposited are transported to the dispensing unit 12. Banknotes that cannot be deposited will be returned to the user.

[0061] The banknote processing device 1 also performs a collection process using the second storage unit 20. In the collection process, the transport unit 14 transports the banknotes dispensed by the first storage unit 15 to the second storage unit 20. The second storage unit 20 stores the banknotes in the storage bag 9.

[0062] (Retaining structure for the storage bag of the banknote storage device) As shown by the horizontal arrow in Figure 2, the banknote storage device 2 can be pulled out in the X direction from the housing 10 of the banknote processing device 1. Once the banknote storage device 2 is pulled out from the housing 10, the storage bag 9 can be attached to and detached from the banknote storage device 2, as shown by the up and down arrows in Figure 2.

[0063] Figure 3 shows the storage bag 9 with its opening 90. The storage bag 9 is a flexible bag with suppleness. The storage bag 9 is made of, for example, opaque nylon.

[0064] The storage bag 9 has an opening 90 at its top. Banknotes are placed in the storage bag 9 through the opening 90. As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 5, the banknotes are stacked in the Z direction inside the storage bag 9.

[0065] The opening 90 has a first edge 91. The first edge extends in the X direction. The opening 90 has a second edge 92. The second edge 92 is the edge opposite the first edge 91 in the Y direction. The Y direction is the opening and closing direction for opening and closing the opening 90. The second edge 92 extends in the X direction, similar to the first edge 91.

[0066] The opening 90 has a third edge 93. When the opening 90 is open, the third edge 93 is located between the first edge 91 and the second edge 92 in the Y direction. The third edge 93 is the edge that connects the first edge 91 and the second edge 92.

[0067] The opening 90 has a fourth edge 94. The fourth edge 94, like the third edge 93, is located between the first edge 91 and the second edge 92 in the Y direction when the opening 90 is open. The fourth edge 94 faces the third edge 93 in the X direction.

[0068] The first edge 91, the second edge 92, the third edge 93, and the fourth edge 94 each have engaging portions 910, 920, 930, and 940, respectively.

[0069] The first edge 91 has two engaging portions 910 spaced apart in the X direction. The engaging portions 910 have through holes 911 which serve as engaging holes. A pin 25 is inserted into the through holes 911 (see Figure 4 or Figure 5).

[0070] The second edge 92 has two engaging portions 920 spaced apart in the X direction. Each engaging portion 920 has a through hole 921. The third edge 93 has one engaging portion 930. Each engaging portion 930 has a through hole 931. The fourth edge 94 also has one engaging portion 940. Each engaging portion 940 has a through hole 941.

[0071] The right side of Figure 4 is a plan view of the banknote storage device 2, and the left side is a side view of the banknote storage device 2. The top side of Figure 5 is a plan view of the banknote storage device 2, and the bottom side is a cross-sectional view of the top side AA. The plan view of Figure 4 shows the storage bag 9 before it is attached to the banknote storage device 2. The plan view of Figure 5 shows the storage bag 9 attached to the banknote storage device 2 with the opening 90 open.

[0072] The banknote storage device 2 has a first holding portion 21. The first holding portion 21 holds the first edge 91 of the storage bag 9. The first holding portion 21 has two pins 25, 25. The two pins 25, 25 are spaced apart in the X direction. The pins 25, 25 each engage with the engaging portions 910, 910. By the engagement of the pins 25, 25 with the engaging portions 910, 910, the first holding portion 21 holds the first edge 91.

[0073] The banknote storage device 2 has a second holding portion 22. The second holding portion 22 holds the second edge 92 of the storage bag 9. The second holding portion 22 is opposite to the first holding portion 21 in the Y direction. The second holding portion 22 has two pins 25, 25. The pins 25, 25 engage with the engaging portions 920, 920, respectively. By the engagement of the pins 25, 25 with the engaging portions 920, 920, the second holding portion 22 holds the second edge 92.

[0074] The banknote storage device 2 has a rack and pinion mechanism 27. The rack and pinion mechanism 27 moves the first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 back and forth in the Y direction (see the arrow in the left diagram of Figure 4). The first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 switch between a state where they are separated from each other in the Y direction and a state where they are close to each other.

[0075] The banknote storage device 2 has a third holding portion 23. The third holding portion 23 holds the third edge 93. The third holding portion 23 is located at the first end in the X direction of the first holding portion 21, that is, at the right end in Figure 4 or 5.

[0076] The third retaining portion 23 has a pin 25. The pin 25 engages with the engaging portion 930. As shown in an enlarged view in the lower part of Figure 5, the third retaining portion 23 holds the third edge 93 by the engagement of the pin 25 with the engaging portion 930.

[0077] The third retaining portion 23 is supported so as to be movable relative to the first retaining portion 21 (see the arrows at both ends in the upper diagram of Figure 5). The first retaining portion 21 has a guide groove 231 that guides the third retaining portion 23. The guide groove 231 is inclined inward into the storage bag 9 with respect to the Y direction. The third retaining portion 23 can reciprocate along the guide groove 231.

[0078] The third retaining portion 23 can be positioned between a first position and a second position. The first position of the third retaining portion 23 is, as shown in Figure 4, a position in which the pins 25 of the third retaining portion 23 are substantially in the same position in the Y direction as the pins 25, 25 of the first retaining portion 21. The second position of the third retaining portion 23 is, as shown in Figure 5, a position in which the pins 25 of the third retaining portion 23 are closer to the second retaining portion 22 than the pins 25, 25 of the first retaining portion 21 in the Y direction.

[0079] A tension spring 271 is interposed between the third retaining portion 23 and the first retaining portion 21. The tension spring 271 applies a biasing force to the third retaining portion 23 so that it is positioned in the first position. When the storage bag 9 pulls on the pin 25 while it is engaged with the engaging portion 930, the third retaining portion 23 is positioned in the second position against the biasing force of the tension spring 271.

[0080] The banknote storage device 2 has a fourth retaining portion 24. The fourth retaining portion 24 holds the fourth edge 94. The fourth retaining portion 24 is located at the second end in the X direction of the first retaining portion 21, that is, at the left end in Figure 4 or 5. The fourth retaining portion 24 is located on the opposite side from the third retaining portion 23 in the X direction.

[0081] The fourth retaining portion 24 has a pin 25. The pin 25 engages with the engaging portion 940. By engaging the pin 25 with the engaging portion 940, the fourth retaining portion 24 holds the fourth edge 94.

[0082] The fourth retaining portion 24 is supported by the first retaining portion 21. The fourth retaining portion 24 is supported so as to be movable relative to the first retaining portion 21 in the Y direction (see the arrows at both ends in the upper diagram of Figure 5). The first retaining portion 21 has an inclined guide groove 241. Guided by the guide groove 241, the fourth retaining portion 24 can change position between a first position and a second position.

[0083] A tension spring 281 is interposed between the fourth retaining part 24 and the first retaining part 21. The tension spring 281 applies a biasing force to the fourth retaining part 24 so that it is positioned in the first position. The fourth retaining part 24 moves in the same way as the third retaining part 23.

[0084] The banknote storage device 2 has a sealing mechanism 3 that seals the opening 90 of the storage bag 9. Before the storage bag 9 containing the banknotes is removed from the banknote storage device 2, the sealing mechanism 3 irreversibly seals the opening 90 of the storage bag 9.

[0085] As shown in the left diagram of Figure 4, the sealing mechanism 3 has a heater 31 and a receiving part 32. The heater 31 applies heat to the storage bag 9. The sealing mechanism 3 seals the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 by heat welding. The heater 31 is supported by the second holding part 22. The heater 31 moves in the Y direction as the second holding part 22 moves in the Y direction.

[0086] The receiving portion 32 faces the heater 31 in the Y direction and, together with the heater 31, is a portion that clamps the storage bag 9 in the Y direction. The receiving portion 32 is supported by the first holding portion 21. The receiving portion 32 moves in the Y direction as the first holding portion 21 moves in the Y direction. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, the heater 31 and the receiving portion 32, when approached in the Y direction, can clamp the storage bag 9 in the Y direction. The sealing mechanism 3 can seal the opening 90 of the storage bag 9. The heater 31 and the receiving portion 32 may be swapped.

[0087] (Attaching the storage bag) The attachment of the storage bag 9 to the banknote storage device 2 is performed manually by a staff member. The staff member engages each of the engaging parts 910, 920, 930, and 940 of the storage bag 9 with the pin 25.

[0088] As shown in Figure 4, in the state before the banknote storage device 2 is pulled out from the housing 10 and the storage bag 9 is attached to the banknote storage device 2, the first retaining part 21 and the second retaining part 22 are located apart in the Y direction. In Figure 4, the pin 25 of the first edge 91 engages with the engaging part 910, the pin 25 of the third edge 93 engages with the engaging part 930, and the pin 25 of the fourth edge 94 engages with the engaging part 940. The third retaining part 23 and the fourth retaining part 24 are positioned in the first position by the biasing force of the tension springs 271 and 281, respectively.

[0089] The staff member holds the second edge 92 of the storage bag 9 in the second retaining part 22 (see the dashed arrow in Figure 4). Specifically, the staff member opens the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 and inserts the engaging part 920 of the second edge 92 onto the pin 25 of the second retaining part 22.

[0090] When the second retaining part 22 holds the second edge 92, the third retaining part 23 and the fourth retaining part 24 are pulled toward the second retaining part 22 by the storage bag 9, as shown in Figure 5. The third retaining part 23 and the fourth retaining part 24 move from the first position to the second position, respectively, against the biasing force of the tension springs 271 and 281. With the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 open, the third retaining part 23 is positioned between the first retaining part 21 and the second retaining part 22 in the Y direction, and offset from the first retaining part 21 and the second retaining part 22 in the X direction. The fourth retaining part 24 is also positioned between the first retaining part 21 and the second retaining part 22 in the Y direction, and offset from the first retaining part 21 and the second retaining part 22 in the X direction.

[0091] In this way, the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 attached to the banknote storage device 2 opens upward. Once the storage bag 9 is attached to the banknote storage device 2, the staff returns the banknote storage device 2 to the housing 10. The banknote processing device 1 can then perform banknote processing.

[0092] The banknote storage device 2 stores banknotes in the storage bag 9 through its open opening 90. The opening 90 of the storage bag 9 is held at its first edge 91, second edge 92, third edge 93, and fourth edge 94 by the first holding part 21, second holding part 22, third holding part 23, and fourth holding part 24. The opening 90 of the storage bag 9 can stably maintain its open shape. Because the open shape of the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 is stably maintained, the size of the opening 90 can be made to the minimum size corresponding to the size of the banknotes 100, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 5.

[0093] The third holding portion 23 and the fourth holding portion 24 hold the third edge 93 and the fourth edge 94 of the banknote 100 on the outside in the X direction. There is no risk of the third edge 93 and / or the fourth edge 94 collapsing inward from the opening 90 and interfering with the banknote 100 (see the white X mark in the upper diagram of Figure 5).

[0094] Furthermore, the structure in which the third retaining part 23 and the fourth retaining part 24 hold the third edge 93 and the fourth edge 94 prevents the third edge 93 and / or the fourth edge 94 from sagging. In the Z direction, even if the position of the sealing mechanism 3 is brought closer to the opening 90 of the storage bag 9, the sealing mechanism 3 can seal the opening 90 of the storage bag 9. As a result, the capacity of the storage bag 9 can be increased, and / or the size of the banknote storage device 2 in the Z direction can be reduced.

[0095] (Sealing the storage bag) When the storage bag 9 containing the banknotes is removed from the banknote processing device 1, the banknote storage device 2 seals the opening 90 of the storage bag 9. First, the banknote storage device 2 brings the first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 closer to each other in the Y direction so that the first edge 91 and the second edge 92 of the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 come into contact with each other in the Y direction. As the first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 move, the third holding part 23 and the fourth holding part 24 move to the first position, respectively, due to the elastic restoring force of the tension springs 271 and 281. The opening 90 of the storage bag 9 closes.

[0096] When the first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 move closer to each other and close the opening 90 of the storage bag 9, the heater 31 and the receiving part 32 of the sealing mechanism 3 sandwich the storage bag 9 and seal the opening 90. After the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 is sealed, the banknote storage device 2 is pulled out of the housing 10 of the banknote processing device 1. Conversely, the staff can remove the storage bag 9 from the banknote storage device 2 by detaching each of the engaging parts 910, 920, 930, and 940 of the storage bag 9 from the pin 25.

[0097] (Structure that ensures the correct attachment of the storage bag) In order to stably store banknotes in the storage bag 9, it is necessary that the storage bag 9 is correctly attached to the banknote storage device 2, as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, it is important that the storage bag 9 is correctly attached to the banknote storage device 2 in order to securely seal the opening of the storage bag 9.

[0098] The removal and installation of the storage bag 9 to the banknote storage device 2 (i.e., the second storage section 20) is performed by staff opening the door 16 of the banknote processing device 1 and exposing the inside of the housing 10 of the banknote processing device 1, as shown in Figure 1. To ensure the security of the banknote processing device 1, the banknote processing device 1 has restrictions on opening and closing the door 16. Specifically, only authorized staff can open the door 16 (i.e., the first restriction), and after closing the door 16, it cannot be opened again until a predetermined time has elapsed (i.e., the second restriction).

[0099] To ensure that the removal and installation of the storage bag 9 can be completed smoothly, the banknote processing device 1 monitors that the storage bag 9 is properly installed and, if the storage bag 9 is not properly installed, alerts the staff before the door 16 is closed.

[0100] The banknote storage device 2 has a first optical sensor 72, as shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5. The first optical sensor 72 is located between the pins 25 in the first holding part 21. As shown in the upper part of Figure 6, if the engaging portion 910 of the first edge 91 of the storage bag 9 is not engaged with the pins 25, the first optical sensor 72 becomes transparent. In Figures 6 and 7, the edges that are not properly attached are shaded. As shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, if the engaging portion 910 of the first edge 91 of the storage bag 9 is engaged with the pins 25, the first optical sensor 72 becomes light-shielding. The first optical sensor 72 can detect whether the first edge 91 is held by the first holding part 21.

[0101] As shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, the banknote storage device 2 has a second optical sensor 73. The second optical sensor 73 is located at the position of the third holding part 23 in the first holding part 21. As shown in Figure 4, when the third holding part 23 is in the first position, the second optical sensor 73 is in a light-shielding state. As shown in Figure 5, when the third holding part 23 is in the second position, the second optical sensor 73 is in a light-transmitting state.

[0102] The banknote storage device 2 has a third optical sensor 74. The third optical sensor 74 is located at the position of the fourth holding part 24 in the first holding part 21. As shown in Figure 4, when the fourth holding part 24 is in the first position, the third optical sensor 74 is in a light-shielding state. As shown in Figure 5, when the fourth holding part 24 is in the second position, the third optical sensor 74 is in a light-transmitting state.

[0103] Figure 8 shows the correspondence between the detection states of the first optical sensor 72, the second optical sensor 73, and the third optical sensor 74, and the mounting state of the storage bag 9. As shown in Figure 5, when the first edge 91, the second edge 92, the third edge 93, and the fourth edge 94 are held by the first holding part 21, the second holding part 22, the third holding part 23, and the fourth holding part 24, respectively, the first optical sensor 72 is in a light-shielding state, and both the second optical sensor 73 and the third optical sensor 74 are in a light-transmitting state. This state corresponds to the storage bag 9 being properly mounted (i.e., normal).

[0104] As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 6, if the first edge 91 is not held by the first retaining part 21, the first optical sensor 72 will be in a light-transmitting state. This state corresponds to the storage bag 9 not being properly attached (i.e., an abnormality).

[0105] As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 6, if the third edge 93 and the fourth edge 94 are not held by the third retaining part 23 and the fourth retaining part 24, the third retaining part 23 and the fourth retaining part 24 will not move to the second position even if the second edge 92 is held by the second retaining part 22. The second optical sensor 73 and the third optical sensor 74 will be in a light-shielding state. This state corresponds to the storage bag 9 not being properly installed (i.e., an abnormality).

[0106] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, if the second edge 92 is not held by the second retaining part 22, the third retaining part 23 and the fourth retaining part 24 will not move to the second position, resulting in the second optical sensor 73 and the third optical sensor 74 being in a light-shielding state. This state corresponds to the storage bag 9 not being properly attached (i.e., an abnormality).

[0107] Furthermore, if only the third edge 93 is not held by the third retaining part 23, the second optical sensor 73 will be in a light-shielded state, which also corresponds to the storage bag 9 not being properly attached (i.e., an abnormality). If only the fourth edge 94 is not held by the fourth retaining part 24, the third optical sensor 74 will be in a light-shielded state, which also corresponds to the storage bag 9 not being properly attached (i.e., an abnormality).

[0108] In addition, if only one of the engaging portions 920 of the second edge 92 is not engaged with the pin 25, the second optical sensor 73 or the third optical sensor 74 will be in a light-shielding state. This state also corresponds to the storage bag 9 not being properly installed (i.e., an abnormality).

[0109] If only one of the engaging portions 910 of the first edge 91 is not engaged with the pin 25, the first optical sensor 72 will be in a light-shielding state. This state also corresponds to the storage bag 9 not being properly installed (i.e., an abnormality).

[0110] The banknote storage device 2 can determine the attachment status of the storage pouch 9 using fewer sensors than the number of pins 25. Furthermore, since the second optical sensor 73 and the third optical sensor 74 detect the positions of the third holding portion 23 and the fourth holding portion 24, the banknote storage device 2 can detect the attachment status of the second edge 92 even without installing an optical sensor on the second holding portion 22.

[0111] For example, by connecting the second optical sensor 73 and the third optical sensor 74 with a prism, it is possible to omit either the second optical sensor 73 or the third optical sensor 74.

[0112] The controller 17 of the banknote processing device 1 (see Figure 2) may issue a warning to staff when, for example, the banknote storage device 2 with the storage bag 9 attached is returned to the housing 10. The warning may be issued through an interface of the banknote processing device 1 (e.g., a display device) or through a terminal connected to the banknote processing device 1.

[0113] According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 17 is, for example, one or more general-purpose processing circuits such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, or digital signal processor, or a dedicated processing circuit such as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0114] The controller 17 may also issue a warning to the staff before the door 16 is closed. Specifically, the controller 17 may use a light-emitting element 101 (see Figure 1), such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), installed inside the housing 10 of the banknote processing device 1 to attract the staff's attention. Based on the detection results of the first optical sensor 72, the second optical sensor 73, and the third optical sensor 74, the controller 17 may illuminate the light-emitting element 101 in blue if the storage bag 9 is properly installed in the banknote storage device 2. If the storage bag 9 is not properly installed in the banknote storage device 2, the controller 17 may illuminate or flash the light-emitting element 101 in red. When the light-emitting element 101 indicates a warning, it is expected that the staff will notice the warning, stop closing the door 16, and reinstall the storage bag 9 in the banknote storage device 2.

[0115] (A structure that allows banknotes to be stored securely and quickly in the storage bag) The banknote storage device 2 has a structure that allows banknotes to be stored stably and quickly in the storage bag 9. Figure 9 is a side view of the banknote storage device 2. The banknote storage device 2 includes a stage 40. The stage 40 supports the banknotes stored in the storage bag 9.

[0116] Stage 40 extends in the X and Y directions, as shown in the right-hand diagram of Figure 4. Stage 40 has a slit 401 in its center that extends in the X direction. The slit 401 penetrates Stage 40 in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 19, the storage bag 9 passes through the slit 401. Stage 40 supports the banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9, with the storage bag 9 sandwiched between them.

[0117] The banknote storage device 2 is equipped with a lifting mechanism 4. The lifting mechanism 4 raises and lowers the stage 40 in the Z direction. The lifting mechanism 4 is an example of a moving mechanism.

[0118] Figure 10 shows the lifting mechanism 4. The left side of Figure 10 shows the stage 40 in its highest position, and the right side shows the stage 40 in an intermediate position. The position of the stage 40 shown by the dashed line in Figure 9 is the lowest position.

[0119] The lifting mechanism 4 has a first base 41. The first base 41 supports the stage 40 so that it can reciprocate in the Z direction. The first base 41 has a belt 42. The belt 42 is wrapped between a pair of pulleys 421, 422. The pair of pulleys 421, 422 are supported on the first base 41 with a gap in the Z direction. The belt 42 extends in the Z direction.

[0120] The first carriage 43 is fixed to the belt 42. The first carriage 43 engages with the stage 40. As the belt 42 travels clockwise or counterclockwise in Figure 10, the first carriage 43 moves in the Z direction, and the stage 40 moves in the Z direction along with the first carriage 43.

[0121] The first base 41 also has a first compression spring 44. The first compression spring 44 biases the stage 40 upward when the stage 40 is pressed down.

[0122] A second carriage 45 is also fixed to belt 42. The second carriage 45 is fixed to belt 42 on the side of the belt 42 opposite to the first carriage 43, with the pulleys 421 and 422 in between, in the belt 42 which is wrapped around a pair of pulleys 421 and 422.

[0123] The lifting mechanism 4 has a second base 46. The frame 461 of the second base 46 is fixed to the housing 10 side of the banknote storage device 2. The frame 461 does not move. The second base 46 supports the first base 41 so that it can move up and down in the Z direction. The first base 41 moves up and down in the Z direction along the guide pole 462 of the second base 46.

[0124] The second carriage 45 is fixed to the frame 461. The second carriage 45 does not move. As the belt 42 travels in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in Figure 10, the first base 41 supporting the belt 42 moves in the Z direction. As the belt 42 travels, the first base 41 moves in the Z direction, and the stage 40 moves in the Z direction relative to the first base 41. The lifting mechanism 4 can make the amount of movement of the stage 40 in the Z direction twice the amount of travel of the belt 42. The stage 40 can be raised and lowered between the uppermost position shown by the solid line in Figure 9 and the lowermost position shown by the dashed line. By having the first base 41 and the second base 46, the lifting mechanism 4 can have a compact structure in the Z direction while allowing for a large amount of lifting of the stage 40. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 4 can move the stage 40 a large distance using a single drive source that drives the belt 42.

[0125] The second base 46 has a second compression spring 47. The second compression spring 47 is supported by a guide pole 462. The second compression spring 47 biases the first base 41 upward when the first base 41 is pressed down.

[0126] As shown in Figure 9, the banknote storage device 2 includes a pusher 5. The pusher 5 pushes the banknotes 100 into the storage bag 9. The pusher 5 moves in the Z direction. The banknote storage device 2 also includes a drive mechanism 6. The drive mechanism 6 causes the pusher 5 to reciprocate in the Z direction.

[0127] Figure 11 is a side view of the pusher 5 and the drive mechanism 6. The drive mechanism 6 has a drive source 61. The drive source 61 is an electric motor. The drive source 61 may be, for example, a stepping motor.

[0128] The drive mechanism 6 has a gear train 62. The gear train 62 includes a plurality of gears that mesh with each other. The gear train 62 transmits the rotation of the drive source 61 at a reduced speed.

[0129] The drive mechanism 6 has a linkage mechanism 63. The linkage mechanism 63 is connected to the drive gear 621 of the gear train 62. The linkage mechanism 63 also supports the pusher 5. As shown by the solid arrows in Figure 11, the linkage mechanism 63 converts the rotation of the drive gear 621 into the up and down movement of the pusher 5.

[0130] Driven by the drive mechanism 6, the pusher 5 can move in the Z direction from the standby position shown in the left diagram of Figure 16 to the pushing position shown in the right diagram. The pushing position is the position where the pusher 5 pushes the banknotes 100 into the storage bag 9.

[0131] As shown in Figure 9, the banknote storage device 2 comprises a pair of plates 71, 71. Banknotes are temporarily piled up on the pair of plates 71, 71. Each plate 71 has a predetermined width in the Y direction and extends in the X direction. The plates 71 are sized to stably pile up banknotes 100.

[0132] The pair of plates 71, 71 are arranged with a gap between them in the Y direction. The gap between the pair of plates 71 is wider than the width of the pusher 5. The pusher 5 can pass between the pair of plates 71, 71 in the Z direction.

[0133] The pair of plates 71, 71 are each pivotally supported by pivots 711, 711 extending in the X direction. The pair of plates 71, 71 can change between a horizontal position shown by the solid line in Figure 9 and an inclined position shown by the dashed line. The pivot 711 is located in the middle of the plates 71 that extend in the Y direction.

[0134] As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 12, a pair of horizontally positioned plates 71, 71 can hold banknotes 100 on top of them. The upper surface of plate 71 is the stacking surface 710. Hereafter, the horizontal position will be referred to as the support position of the pair of plates 71, 71.

[0135] As shown in the middle diagram of Figure 12, the pair of plates 71, 71 in the tilted position are tilted in a direction where the distance between their upper ends is wide and the distance between their lower ends is narrow. The pair of plates 71, 71 in the tilted position guide the banknotes 100 to be stored in the storage bag 9. Hereinafter, the tilted position will be referred to as the passing position of the pair of plates 71, 71. The angle θ that the pair of plates 71, 71 in the passing position make with respect to the pair of plates 71, 71 in the supporting position is set to 80° or less. The angle θ may be, for example, 80°.

[0136] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the banknote storage device 2 when banknotes are stored in the storage bag 9. Figure 12 shows the case when no banknotes 100 are stored in the storage bag 9.

[0137] In step P11, the pair of plates 71, 71 are in a support position. Banknotes 100 are accumulated on the accumulation surface 710. A predetermined number of banknotes 100 are accumulated on the accumulation surface 710. The predetermined number may be set to an appropriate number between 20 and 40. The banknote storage device 2 stores the banknotes 100 accumulated on the accumulation surface 710 into the storage bag 9 all at once. The number of banknotes 100 to be accumulated is relatively large. When the number of accumulated banknotes is large, the number of times the banknote storage device 2 repeats the storage operation is reduced when storing a large number of banknotes 100 into the storage bag 9.

[0138] Once a predetermined number of banknotes 100 are accumulated on the accumulation surface 710, in step P12, the pusher 5 descends and pushes the banknotes 100 downwards. The pair of plates 71, 71 change from a support position to a passage position. The banknotes 100 are sandwiched between the pusher 5 and the plates 71, causing them to bend downwards, in other words, in the direction of the pusher 5's pushing. The bent banknotes 100 then pass downwards between the plates 71 and 71.

[0139] If no banknotes 100 are stored in the storage bag 9, the stage 40 is in its highest position. The banknotes 100 are held between the pusher 5 and the stage 40. The lifting mechanism 4 allows the stage 40 to move closer to the position of the plate 71, so that the pusher 5 and the stage 40 can hold the banknotes 100.

[0140] Pusher 5 pushes the stage 40 downward. The stage 40 maintains its hold on the banknotes 100 by the biasing force of the first compression spring 44 and / or the second compression spring 47. As the pusher 5 and the stage 40 descend while holding the banknotes 100, the banknote storage device 2 can move the banknotes 100 stably.

[0141] In step P13, the banknotes 100 are placed into the storage bag 9 by passing between a pair of plates 71.

[0142] The distance W2 between the pair of plates 71, 71 in the passing position is narrower than the width W1 in the Y direction of the stacked banknotes 100. Because the stacking surfaces 710 of the plates 71, 71 guide the position in the Y direction of the banknotes 100 that are pushed into the storage bag 9, the size of the opening 90 of the storage bag 9, especially the width of the opening 90 in the Y direction, does not need to be widened. The positions of the heater 31 and the receiving part 32 can be brought closer to the storage bag 9, and the banknote storage device 2 becomes more compact in the Y direction.

[0143] Furthermore, because the pair of plates 71, 71 can change from a support position to a passing position, the number of banknotes 100 that can be stored in the storage bag 9 at once can be increased compared to when the pair of plates do not move, and the banknote storage device 2 can reduce the number of times the banknotes 100 are accumulated on the pair of plates 71, 71 and pushed out by the pusher 5. The banknote storage device 2 can quickly complete the storage of banknotes 100 when storing them until the storage bag 9 is full, for example, during the collection process.

[0144] (Variations concerning plates) Figure 13 shows a modified example of the plate 71. As shown in Figure 1301 above, the pair of plates 71 in the passing position may be rotated so that they are parallel to each other in the Y direction. Since the distance between the pivots 711 of the pair of plates 71, 71 is narrower than the width W1 of the banknote 100, the distance between the parallel plates 71 and plates 71 is also narrower than the width W1 of the banknote 100. The stacking surface 710 of the pair of plates 71, 71 can guide the banknote 100 and make the banknote storage device 2 compact in the Y direction.

[0145] The modified example shown in Figure 1302 below Figure 13 concerns the position of the pivot 711 of plate 71. The pivot 711 may be located at the end of plate 71. In this modified example, the angle θ that each of the pair of plates 71, 71 makes with respect to the support position in the passing position may be 80° or less. The distance between the pair of plates 71, 71 in the passing position becomes narrower than the width W1 of the banknote 100. The stacking surface 710 of the pair of plates 71 can guide the banknote 100, and the banknote storage device 2 becomes more compact in the Y direction.

[0146] (Configuration for determining the full capacity of the storage bag) The banknote storage device 2 is required to be compact in the stacking direction and to have a large storage capacity for the storage bag 9.

[0147] The banknote storage device 2 seals the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 by heat welding. When sealing the opening 90, the height difference H (see Figure 14) between the stacked ends of the banknotes 100 inside the storage bag 9 and the sealing position is ensured to be sufficiently long so that the stored banknotes 100 are not pinched by the opening 90. The maximum amount of banknotes 100 that can be stored in the storage bag 9 is determined so that the distance between the stacked ends of the banknotes 100 and the sealing position does not pinch the stored banknotes 100 when the storage bag 9 is sealed.

[0148] If the banknotes stored in the storage bag 9 are, for example, wrinkled or so-called "stiff" banknotes, the volume of the banknotes stacked inside the storage bag 9 will expand, making it bulkier relative to the number of banknotes 100. This increases the likelihood that the banknotes will get caught in the opening 90 when it is sealed. Therefore, the banknote storage device 2 uses the pusher 5 to compress the banknotes 100 stacked inside the storage bag 9, as shown in Figure 14. The dashed line in Figure 14 illustrates the bulge of the banknotes 100 that have been removed from the pusher 5 when the pusher 5 compresses them.

[0149] If a so-called "stiff" banknote is used, increasing the amount of compression of the banknote 100 allows the banknote storage device 2 to ensure a longer distance between the stacked edge of the banknote 100 and the sealing position. The maximum amount of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 can be determined based on the increased amount of compression.

[0150] In contrast to stiff banknotes, if the banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 are relatively clean, for example, official sealed banknotes, the stacked banknotes 100 inside the storage bag 9 will not become bulky, but will only be bulky in proportion to the number of banknotes 100. With official sealed banknotes, it is practically impossible to compress the banknotes 100 using the pusher 5, and even when pushed in with the pusher 5, the bulge of the banknotes 100 that escape the pusher 5 is less than with stiff banknotes. Therefore, even if the distance between the stacked edges of the official sealed banknotes inside the storage bag 9 and the sealing position is somewhat shorter, the possibility of the banknotes 100 getting caught in the opening 90 is low. If the banknotes 100 are relatively clean, even if the storage capacity is increased compared to the case of stiff banknotes, there will be no problem with sealing the storage bag 9.

[0151] Furthermore, even in the case of government-sealed banknotes, the thickness of the banknotes can vary depending on the type of banknote 100. If the banknotes 100 are thick, the stacked edges of the government-sealed banknotes in the storage bag 9 will be higher in the Z direction. However, as mentioned above, if they are government-sealed banknotes, the possibility of the banknotes 100 getting caught in the opening 90 is low.

[0152] The banknote storage device 2 determines the maximum amount of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 according to multiple fullness criteria, in order to achieve both stable sealing of the storage bag 9 and maximizing the storage capacity of the storage bag 9. The fullness criteria include a first fullness criterion, a second fullness criterion, and a third fullness criterion.

[0153] The first full-capacity criterion is when the number of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 reaches the maximum capacity. The number of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 is determined by the controller 17 counting the number of banknotes 100 that are transported to the banknote storage device 2, i.e., the second storage section 20. The first full-capacity criterion is the standard when relatively clean banknotes are stored in the storage bag 9.

[0154] The second full-capacity criterion is that the number of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 is less than the aforementioned full-capacity number, and the stacked ends of the banknotes 100 piled up inside the storage bag 9 reach the full-capacity position. The second full-capacity criterion is the criterion when bulky banknotes 100 are stored in the storage bag 9.

[0155] The third full-load criterion is that pusher 5 does not reach its maximum push position, and stage 40 reaches its lowest position. The third full-load criterion is the criterion when the thickness of the 100 yen banknote is thick.

[0156] The banknote storage device 2 has a sensor that detects the position of the pusher 5 in order to determine if the banknote storage device 2 is full. As shown in Figure 11 or Figure 14, the banknote storage device 2 has a first sensor 64, a second sensor 65, a third sensor 66, and a fourth sensor 67. These sensors 64 to 67 may be, for example, optical sensors.

[0157] The first sensor 64, the second sensor 65, and the third sensor 66 detect the position of the pusher 5 by detecting the rotation angle of the drive gear 621 of the gear train 62. The drive gear 621 has a sensor target 622. The sensor target 622 changes its circumferential position when the drive gear 621 rotates. The first sensor 64, the second sensor 65, and the third sensor 66 are each fixed to the housing 10 side, corresponding to different circumferential positions of the drive gear 621. The controller 17 determines the position of the pusher 5 based on the sensors that have detected the sensor target 622.

[0158] The first sensor 64 corresponds to the standby position of the pusher 5, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 16. While banknotes are being accumulated on the pair of plates 71, 71, the pusher 5 is in the standby position.

[0159] As shown in the right-hand diagram of Figure 17, the second sensor 65 corresponds to the position of the pusher 5, i.e., the upper end detection position, when detecting the position of the stacked edge of the banknotes stored in the storage bag 9.

[0160] The third sensor 66 corresponds to the maximum push-in position of the pusher 5, as shown in the right diagram of Figure 16 or the left diagram of Figure 17. In other words, the maximum push-in position is the lowest point in the Z direction that the pusher 5 can reach.

[0161] The fourth sensor 67 detects the position of the pusher 5 by detecting the angle of the link in the link mechanism 63. As shown in Figure 11, the fourth sensor 67 detects the link target 631 provided on the link. When the link is at a predetermined angle, the fourth sensor 67 can detect the link target 631.

[0162] The fourth sensor 67 corresponds to the guaranteed push-in position of the pusher 5, as shown in the right diagram of Figure 16, the left diagram of Figure 17, or Figure 18. The guaranteed push-in position of the pusher 5 is between the upper end detection position and the maximum push-in position. When the pusher 5 performs a pushing operation, the controller 17 determines, based on the detection by the fourth sensor 67, that the pushing operation of the pusher 5 by the drive mechanism 6 is being performed normally.

[0163] The banknote storage device 2 also has a stage sensor 75 that detects the position of the stage 40. The stage sensor 75 detects when the stage 40 has reached its lowest position, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 17. The stage sensor 75 may be, for example, an optical sensor.

[0164] The banknote storage device 2 further includes a full-fill position detection sensor 76 that detects when the stacked ends of the banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 reach the full-fill position. The full-fill position detection sensor 76 is an optical sensor that detects light transmission and light shielding. As shown in the right-hand diagram of Figure 17, the full-fill position detection sensor 76 detects that the light shielding plate 51 is shielding light when the second sensor 65 is detecting light.

[0165] As shown in Figure 11, the light-shielding plate 51 is rotatably attached to the pusher 5. The light-shielding plate 51 is displaced between a first position (see dashed line) where it protrudes downward from the lower surface of the pusher 5, and a second position (see solid or dashed line) where it is rotated upward when pushed by the banknotes 100, with the lower surface of the pusher 5 in contact with the stacked ends of the banknotes 100.

[0166] When the light-shielding plate 51 is in the second position, it blocks the optical axis window 52 provided in the pusher 5. The optical axis window 52 is a window through which the optical axis of the full-load position detection sensor 76 passes when the second sensor 65 is detecting. Therefore, when the second sensor 65 is detecting, that is, when the pusher 5 is in the predetermined position shown in the right diagram of Figure 17, and the bottom surface of the pusher 5 touches the stacked end of the banknotes 100, the light-shielding plate 51 is raised to the second position, thereby blocking the full-load position detection sensor 76. The banknote storage device 2 can detect that the stacked end of the banknotes 100 has reached the full-load position.

[0167] As shown by the dashed line in the right-hand diagram of Figure 17, when the stacked end of the banknotes 100 is away from the bottom surface of the pusher 5, the light-shielding plate 51 hangs down to the first position, allowing light to pass through to the full-fill position detection sensor 76. The banknote storage device 2 can detect that the stacked end of the banknotes 100 has not reached the full-fill position.

[0168] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the determination of fullness in the banknote storage device 2 and the storage bag 9. First, in step S11, banknotes 100 are piled up on a pair of plates 71, 71 (see the left diagram in Figure 16). Once a predetermined number of banknotes 100 have been piled up on the pair of plates 71, 71, in the following step S12, the pusher 5 performs a pushing operation for the banknotes 100.

[0169] In step S13, the banknote storage device 2 determines whether the second sensor 65 has detected the passage of the guaranteed push-in position. If it does not detect this, the banknote storage device 2 determines in step S21 that a push-in error has occurred. The flow in Figure 15 ends due to the occurrence of the error.

[0170] If the passage of the guaranteed push-in position is detected, in step S14, the banknote storage device 2 determines whether the third sensor 66 has detected the maximum push-in position.

[0171] If detected, the pusher 5 reaches the maximum push position, as shown in the right diagram of Figure 16. In the following step S15, the banknote storage device 2 determines whether the number of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 is less than a predetermined maximum number. The number of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 is determined by the count of the controller 17, as described above. In step S15, if the number is not less than the maximum number, that is, if the number of stored banknotes 100 reaches the maximum number, the banknote storage device 2 determines in step S16 that the banknotes stored in the storage bag 9 have reached the maximum capacity according to the first maximum capacity criterion.

[0172] If it is determined in step S15 that the number of banknotes is less than the maximum capacity, the banknote storage device 2 determines in step S17, based on the detection by the stage sensor 75, whether the stage 40 has reached the lowest position (see the left diagram in Figure 17). The stage 40 descends according to the amount of banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9.

[0173] If stage 40 has not reached the lowest position, the banknote processing device 1 determines in step S18 whether the number of stored banknotes is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. This predetermined number is less than the maximum number of banknotes. If the number of stored banknotes is less than the predetermined number, more banknotes 100 can be stored in the storage bag 9, and the process in Figure 15 returns to step S11.

[0174] If the number of banknotes to be stored is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the banknote storage device 2 determines in step S19 whether the stacked ends of the stored banknotes 100 have reached the full-fill position. Specifically, the pusher 5 is positioned at the detection position of the second sensor 65 to determine whether the full-fill position detection sensor 76 is being shielded from light (see the right diagram in Figure 17).

[0175] If the stacked ends of the banknotes have not reached the full capacity, more banknotes 100 can be stored in the storage bag 9, so the process in Figure 15 returns to step S11.

[0176] If the stacked end of the banknotes 100 has reached the full capacity position, the banknote storage device 2 determines in step S20 that the banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 have reached full capacity according to the second full capacity criterion.

[0177] Returning to step S14, if the maximum push-in position is not detected, the process in Figure 15 proceeds to step S22. The banknote storage device 2 determines, based on the detection by the stage sensor 75, whether the stage 40 is in the lowest position. If the stage 40 is not in the lowest position, the banknote storage device 2 determines in step S21 that there is a push-in error.

[0178] If stage 40 is in the lowest position, the banknote storage device 2 determines in step S23 that the banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 have reached full capacity according to the third full capacity criterion.

[0179] Here, when the drive mechanism 6 moves the pusher 5 to the maximum push-in position, as shown in Figure 14, the positions of the stacked ends of the banknotes 100 piled in the storage bag 9 differ depending on whether the first full-load criterion is met (i.e., case A), the second full-load criterion is met (i.e., case B), or the third full-load criterion is met (i.e., case C). The drive mechanism 6 has a torque limiter 623 to absorb the difference in the positions of the stacked ends.

[0180] As shown in Figure 11, the torque limiter 623 is provided on the gear train 62 of the drive mechanism 6. In case B or C in Figure 14, the torque limiter 623 slips, allowing the pusher 5 to stop at a higher position in the Z direction. Furthermore, the pusher 5 can stop at a higher position when the rebound of the stacked banknotes is greater than when the rebound of the stacked banknotes is less.

[0181] In cases A and B, the third sensor 66 can detect the sensor target 622. The decision in step S14 in the flow of Figure 15 is Yes. In case C, the third sensor 66 cannot detect the sensor target 622. The decision in step S14 in the flow of Figure 15 is No.

[0182] (A structure that reduces the load on the storage bag when the stage is lowered.) When pusher 5 pushes banknotes 100 into storage bag 9, the stage 40 is pushed down by pusher 5. At this time, storage bag 9, which is inserted into the slit 401 of stage 40, is fed upward. Since storage bag 9 is sandwiched between the banknotes 100 pushed by pusher 5 and the top surface of stage 40, if storage bag 9 is not fed out smoothly, the load on storage bag 9 will increase, which may cause storage bag 9 to stretch or the banknotes 100 stacked inside storage bag 9 to collapse.

[0183] Figure 19 shows a magnified view of stage 40. The left side of Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of stage 40 cut along the YZ plane, and the right side is a view of stage 40 from the opposite side to the left side.

[0184] Stage 40 has a feeding mechanism 8. The feeding mechanism 8 reduces the feeding resistance of the storage bag 9.

[0185] The feeding mechanism 8 has a feeding roller 80. The feeding roller 80 extends in the X direction along the edge of the slit 401 (see also Figure 4). The feeding roller 80 contacts the storage bag 9 inserted into the slit 401. The feeding roller 80 can rotate about an axis extending in the X direction. The feeding mechanism 8 has two feeding rollers 80 spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0186] The feeding mechanism 8 has racks 81. The feeding mechanism 8 has two racks 81 corresponding to two feeding rollers 80. One rack 81 is located on one side of the stage 40 in the Y direction, and the other rack 81 is located on the other side of the stage 40. The teeth of the racks 81 are aligned in the Z direction. The racks 81 are fixed to the first base 41.

[0187] The feeding mechanism 8 has a pinion 82 that meshes with a rack 81. The pinion 82 also meshes with a gear fixed to a feeding roller 80. The pinion 82 is rotatably supported on the stage 40. When the stage 40 is pushed down relative to the first base 41 by the pusher 5, the pinion 82 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 19 while meshing with the rack 81. As the pinion 82 rotates, the feeding roller 80 rotates in the opposite direction to the pinion 82. Each of the feeding rollers 80 rotates in the direction that feeds the storage bag 9 out of the slit 401.

[0188] The feed mechanism 8 has two synchronous gears 83. The synchronous gears 83 mesh with the gears of each of the two feed rollers 80, and also mesh with each other. The synchronous gears 83 synchronize the rotation of the two pinions 82, ensuring that the stage 40 descends while maintaining a horizontal position.

[0189] As the stage 40 descends, the two dispensing rollers 80 rotate in the direction of dispensing the storage bag 9, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 19. This reduces the dispensing resistance of the storage bag 9, preventing it from stretching and allowing the banknotes 100 to be stacked stably within the storage bag 9.

[0190] (A structure that securely seals the opening of the storage bag) The banknote storage device 2 is compact while maximizing the amount of banknotes that can be stored in the storage bag 9. Reducing the height difference H between the stacked ends of the banknotes 100 stored in the storage bag 9 and the heater 31 and receiving section 32 is advantageous for increasing the storage capacity. The banknote storage device 2 minimizes the height difference H as much as possible, while also taking measures to prevent banknotes from getting caught in the opening 90 when the opening 90 is sealed by the sealing mechanism 3.

[0191] Specifically, as shown in step P21 of Figure 20, the sealing mechanism 3 begins its sealing operation while the pusher 5 is pushing the banknotes 100 into the storage bag 9. That is, the heater 31 and the receiving part 32 move closer to each other in the Y direction as the first holding part 21 and the second holding part 22 move closer to each other. After the sealing operation begins, as shown in step P22, the pusher 5 retracts to the outside of the storage bag 9. After the pusher 5 retracts, as shown in step P23, the heater 31 and the receiving part 32 seal the opening 90 of the storage bag 9.

[0192] The banknote storage device 2 may seal the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 in the procedure shown in Figure 20 if it determines that the storage bag 9 is full based on the second fullness criterion. The second fullness criterion is because stacked banknotes 100 tend to expand, and there is a high possibility that banknotes will get caught in the opening 90.

[0193] In the case of the banknote storage device 2, if it determines that the storage bag 9 is full based on the first or third fullness standard, unlike in Figure 20, the pusher 5 may retract to the outside of the storage bag 9 before the sealing mechanism 3 begins sealing the opening 90.

[0194] Here, when the pusher 5 that was holding the banknotes 100 separates from the banknotes 100, the top banknote may be pulled out by the pusher 5 and get caught in the opening 90. The storage bag 9 has a restricting piece 95 that restricts the banknotes 100 from falling out.

[0195] As shown in Figure 3, the restricting piece 95 is attached to the first edge 91 and the second edge 92 of the opening 90, respectively, so as to extend in the X direction. As shown in Figure 21, which shows a cross-section of the opening 90, the restricting piece 95 extends downward and inward from either the first edge 91 or the second edge 92. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 21, the banknote 100 being pulled out by the pusher 5 engages with the restricting piece 95, thereby preventing the banknote 100 from flying out of the opening 90.

[0196] A hard film 96 is attached to the opening 90 of the storage bag 9, as shown in Figure 21. The hard film 96 is attached to the first edge 91, the second edge 92, the third edge 93, and the fourth edge 94, respectively, as shown in Figure 3. The hard film 96 is more rigid than the main body of the storage bag 9. The hard film 96 allows the opening 90 of the storage bag 9 to remain open stably.

[0197] The hard film 96 is also pocket-shaped and opens downwards. An upward-facing engaging piece 221 is integrally provided on the edge of the second holding portion 22 (or first holding portion 21). The pocket-shaped hard film 96 is placed over the engaging piece 221. The engaging piece 221 prevents the hard film 96 from collapsing inwards. The opening 90 of the storage bag 9 can be stably maintained in an open state. Furthermore, the hard film 96 does not collapse when the first holding portion 21 and the second holding portion 22 approach each other when sealing the opening 90. Because the first edge 91 and the second edge 92 are in stable contact, the sealing mechanism 3 can stably seal the opening 90.

[0198] Alternatively, the banknote storage device 2 may stack the banknotes 100 horizontally rather than vertically, and the pusher 5 may push the banknotes 100 horizontally to store them in the storage bag 9. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0199] 1. Banknote processing equipment (currency processing equipment) 11. Deposit Section 17 Controllers 2. Banknote storage device (coin storage device) 3 Sealing mechanism 4. Lifting mechanism (movement mechanism) 40 stages 41. Base 1 42 belts 421 Pulley 422 Pulley 43 First Carriage 45. Second Carriage 46. ​​Second base 5 Pusher 66 Third Sensor 71 Plate 710 Accumulation surface 9 Storage bags 90 mouths 100 banknotes (currency)

Claims

1. In a support position aligned in the first direction, a pair of plates for accumulating coins are provided on the accumulation surface, The device comprises a pusher that pushes the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction, thereby storing the coins in a storage bag. The pair of plates change from the support position to the passing position, The coins pushed by the pusher are guided to the accumulation surface of the pair of plates in the passing position, and as they pass between the pair of plates, they are stored in the storage bag. A coin storage device.

2. The distance between the pair of plates in the passing position in the first direction is narrower than the width of the coin in the first direction. The currency storage device according to claim 1.

3. The pair of plates are each pivotally supported on axes perpendicular to the first and second directions, and change from the support position to the passing position by rotating in the second direction. The distance between the aforementioned pivots is narrower than the width of the coin in the first direction. The currency storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The angle that each of the pair of plates makes with respect to the support position in the passing position is 80° or less. The currency storage device according to claim 3.

5. The coin passing between the pair of plates is bent in the second direction by being sandwiched between the pusher and the pair of plates. A currency storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The device further comprises a stage located on the opposite side of the pusher, with the pair of plates in between, and supporting the coins stored in the storage bag, The stage holds the coin between itself and the pusher when the pusher pushes the coin in. A currency storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The stage moves in the second direction between a first position close to the pair of plates and a second position away from the pair of plates, depending on the amount of money stored in the storage bag. The currency storage device according to claim 6.

8. The system further includes a moving mechanism for moving the aforementioned stage, The moving mechanism includes a first base that supports the stage so that it can move in the second direction, and a second base that supports the first base so that it can move in the second direction. The currency storage device according to claim 7.

9. The moving mechanism is supported by the first base and has a belt wrapped between a pair of pulleys. The stage engages with the first carriage fixed to the belt, The second base engages with the second carriage fixed to the belt. The currency storage device according to claim 8.

10. The system further includes a controller that determines the full amount of currency stored in the storage bag based on a first or second full-amount standard, The first full-capacity criterion is that the number of coins stored in the storage bag reaches the full capacity. The second full-fill criterion is that the number of coins stored in the storage bag is less than the full-fill number, and the stacked end of the coins piled up in the storage bag reaches the full-fill position. A currency storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The pusher, which performs a pushing motion, is further equipped with a sensor that detects when it has reached the maximum pushing position. The controller, when a stage that supports the coins stored in the storage bag and displaces according to the amount of coins reaches its lowest position and the sensor detects the pusher reaching its lowest position, determines the maximum amount of coins stored in the storage bag based on the first or second maximum amount criterion. The currency storage device according to claim 10.

12. The controller further determines the maximum amount of money stored in the storage bag based on a third maximum criterion, where the stage reaches its lowest position and the sensor does not detect the pusher reaching its lowest position. The currency storage device according to claim 11.

13. The storage bag is further equipped with a sealing mechanism for sealing the opening, While the pusher is pushing the coins in, the sealing mechanism starts the sealing operation, and after the sealing operation has started, the pusher retracts to the outside of the storage bag. The position of the pusher at the start of the sealing operation differs depending on whether the full capacity is determined by the first full capacity criterion or by the second full capacity criterion. A currency storage device according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. The deposit section, It comprises a coin storage device for storing the coins sent out from the deposit section, The aforementioned currency storage device is A pair of plates that accumulate coins on the accumulation surface in a support position aligned in the first direction, The device includes a pusher that pushes the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction, thereby storing the coins in a storage bag. The coins pushed by the pusher pass between the pair of plates, which change from a support position to a passing position, and are stored in the storage bag. The distance between the pair of plates in the passing position in the first direction is narrower than the width of the coin in the first direction. Currency processing device.

15. On the accumulation surface of the pair of plates in a supporting position, coins are accumulated. The pusher pushes the coins accumulated on the accumulation surface toward the storage bag, and the pair of plates change from the support position to the passing position. The accumulation surfaces of the pair of plates in the passing position guide the coins that are pushed by the pusher. The coins are placed into the storage bag by passing between the pair of plates. Methods for storing currency.

Images