Banknote processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a bill processing device that can improve a crime prevention effect by preventing an illegal unlock operation by a malicious person.SOLUTION: Provided is a bill processing device that in a case where a collection command is given, transports a bill to be stored in each storage to a collection storage 20 removably provided for a device main body so as to collect the bill in the collection storage 20. The collection storage 20 includes a collection storage main body 21 in which a storage area for collecting a bill is defined inside, a take-out door 22 that opens / closes a take-out opening of the collection storage main body 21, and a door lock mechanism 23 that in a case where a take-out key is inserted into a keyhole 231 and a lock operation is performed, restricts opening of the take-out opening closed by the take-out door 22, and in a case where the take-out key is inserted into the keyhole 231 and an unlock operation is performed, permits opening of the take-out opening closed by the take-out door 22. The keyhole 231 is provided at a place not exposed to the outside in a state attached to the device main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a banknote processing apparatus, and more particularly to a banknote processing apparatus applicable to, for example, an automatic change dispenser.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a banknote processing apparatus applicable to, for example, an automatic change dispenser, banknotes inserted into a deposit section formed in the apparatus main body are conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path, and the authenticity of the banknotes conveyed along the conveyance path is discriminated by a discrimination means.

[0003] In this banknote processing apparatus, banknotes discriminated as "genuine" by the above discrimination means are separated from the conveyance path and stored in a predetermined storage. Also, in the banknote processing apparatus, when a payout instruction is given, the banknotes sent out from a predetermined storage are conveyed through the above conveyance path to a payout section and discharged from the apparatus main body.

[0004] In addition, in the above banknote processing apparatus, a collection section is provided detachably with respect to the apparatus main body. The collection section includes a collection section main body, a take-out door, and a door lock mechanism.

[0005] The collection section main body has a box-like form with a take-out opening formed in the front surface, and a storage area is defined inside in a manner facing the take-out opening. The take-out door is provided swingably on the collection section main body in a manner of opening and closing the take-out opening. The door lock mechanism restricts the opening of the take-out opening closed by the take-out door when a take-out key is inserted into a keyhole formed in the front surface of the take-out door and locked, while allowing the opening of the take-out opening closed by the take-out door when the take-out key is inserted into the keyhole and unlocked.

[0006] The collection section having such a configuration is attached to the apparatus main body in a manner where only the front surface of the take-out door closing the take-out opening is exposed to the outside.

[0007] In the banknote processing device, when a collection command is given, the banknotes stored in each storage compartment are transported to the collection compartment via the transport path and stored in the storage area to be collected. The banknotes collected in this way are then removed from the device along with the collection compartment and stored in a designated safe or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-170480 [Overview of the initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] By the way, in the banknote processing device proposed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, the collection compartment is attached to the main body of the device in such a manner that only the front surface of the retrieval door is exposed to the outside, and a keyhole is formed on the front surface of the retrieval door, which presents the following problems.

[0010] In other words, when a banknote processing device is used as a self-checkout machine, the front of the device, including the front of the dispensing door, faces the customer, and the keyhole is positioned in a location visible to the customer. This positioning of the keyhole in a visible location means that the location of the banknotes is visible to the customer, raising concerns that a malicious person could illegally unlock the device, open the dispensing door, and take out the banknotes. This is undesirable from a security standpoint.

[0011] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a banknote processing device that can improve security by preventing unauthorized unlocking operations by malicious actors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the banknote processing device according to the present invention is a banknote processing device that, when banknotes are inserted into a deposit section provided in the main body of the device, performs a deposit operation in which banknotes meeting predetermined conditions are stored in the corresponding storage compartments, and when a retrieval command is given, performs a retrieval operation in which banknotes to be stored in each storage compartment are transported to a retrieval compartment detachably provided on the main body of the device and retrieved into the retrieval compartment, wherein the retrieval compartment comprises a retrieval compartment body having a storage area for storing the banknotes defined inside, a retrieval door pivotably provided on the retrieval compartment body in a manner that opens and closes a retrieval opening formed in the retrieval compartment body, and a door lock mechanism that restricts the opening of the retrieval opening, which is closed by the retrieval door, from opening when a retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole and the locking operation is performed, and allows the opening of the retrieval opening, which is closed by the retrieval door, from opening when the retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole and the unlocking operation is performed, and is characterized in that the keyhole is not exposed to the outside when the retrieval compartment is mounted on the main body of the device.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned banknote processing device, the collection box is provided with the keyhole in a location that is not exposed to the outside when it is attached to the main body of the device.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned banknote processing device, when the collection compartment is attached to the main body of the device, only the front surface of the retrieval door that closes the retrieval opening is exposed to the outside, and the keyhole is provided on the upper surface of the retrieval door that closes the retrieval opening.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned banknote processing device, the collection box is formed in the upper edge portion of the collection box body with a notch that allows for the placement of the keyhole.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned banknote processing device, the collection compartment is provided in such a manner that it covers the entire area of ​​the rear surface constituting the inner surface of the retrieval door, and is equipped with an inner cover that exhibits a color with excellent light absorption properties.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned banknote processing device, the collection unit body is provided with a flapper whose front end portion is provided to swing up and down and presses the banknotes conveyed to the storage area downward, and the collection unit is provided with a flapper stopper that contacts the front end portion of the flapper which swings upward and restricts the amount of upward swing of the front end portion.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned banknote processing device, the collection unit is equipped with a banknote guide that restricts a portion of the banknotes transported to the storage area from coming into close proximity to the door locking mechanism.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention provides a banknote processing device in which the collection compartment is rotatably disposed on the retrieval door in a manner that moves toward and away from the keyhole, wherein the key cover member is held in a position toward the keyhole and covers the keyhole when the collection compartment is mounted on the device body, and when the collection compartment is detached from the device body, the key cover member is allowed to expose the keyhole, provided that it is rotated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, a collection box detachably attached to the main body of the device comprises a collection box body having a storage area for storing banknotes defined inside, a retrieval door pivotably attached to the collection box body in a manner that opens and closes a retrieval opening formed in the collection box body, and a door lock mechanism that restricts the opening of the retrieval opening, which is closed by the retrieval door, when a retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole and the locking operation is performed, while allowing the opening of the retrieval opening, which is closed by the retrieval door, when a retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole and the locking operation is performed. Since the keyhole is not exposed to the outside when the collection box is attached to the main body of the device, it is possible to improve the security effect by preventing unauthorized unlocking operations by malicious actors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration while showing an internal structure of a part of a banknote processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing an internal configuration of a banknote processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the collection box shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the collection box shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the collection box shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the collection box shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a locked state between a hook piece and a locking piece portion constituting a door lock mechanism shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of the collection box shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a main part of the collection box shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an external configuration while showing an internal part of a modified example of a banknote processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the collection box shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the collection box shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the collection box shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a longitudinal section of a main part of an apparatus body on which the collection box shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 is mounted.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a banknote processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] First, the general configuration and operation of the banknote processing device will be described. Figures 1 and 2 show banknote processing devices that are embodiments of the present invention, respectively. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration while also showing some of the internal structure of the banknote processing device, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the banknote processing device.

[0024] The banknote processing device illustrated here is intended for use as an automatic change dispenser in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, and comprises a device body 1.

[0025] The main body of this device 1 has a deposit slot 10 for inserting banknotes and a dispensing slot 11 for dispensing the stored banknotes as change at its front. The dispensing slot 11 is opened and closed by a shutter 12, and is normally closed by the shutter 12. A collection box 20 is detachably provided at the lower part of the front section of the main body of the device 1. The configuration of the collection box 20 will be described later.

[0026] The main body of such a device 1 includes a deposit section 13 that introduces banknotes inserted from the deposit slot 10, a dispensing section 14 that dispenses banknotes to the dispensing slot 11, a collection box 20, an authentication section 15 that determines the authenticity and denomination of banknotes, and a storage box 16 that stores banknotes of each denomination. The deposit section 13, dispensing section 14, collection box 20, authentication section 15, and storage box 16 are connected by a banknote transport mechanism 17.

[0027] The banknote processing device operates as follows: Banknotes inserted into the deposit slot 10 are detected by a detection sensor (not shown) in the deposit unit 13, and then transported to the authentication unit 15 by the banknote transport mechanism 17. If the banknotes become jammed during transport or if the authentication unit 15 fails to properly identify them, the banknote transport mechanism 17 returns the banknotes to the deposit slot 10 via the deposit unit 13.

[0028] Furthermore, if the banknote processing device determines that a banknote is not legal tender by the authentication unit 15, it transports the banknote to the dispensing unit 14 via the banknote transport mechanism 17 and dispenses it from the dispensing slot 11. On the other hand, if the banknote processing device determines that a banknote is legal tender by the authentication unit 15, it performs a deposit operation by storing the banknote determined to be legal tender in the storage compartment 16 according to the denomination via the banknote transport mechanism 17.

[0029] On the other hand, when a disbursement command is issued from a higher-level device (not shown), the banknote processing device dispenses banknotes of the corresponding denomination from the storage compartment 16 to the banknote transport mechanism 17, which then transports them to the disbursement section 14 and dispenses them from the disbursement opening 11.

[0030] Furthermore, when an administrator or other person operates the administrator's input means and a retrieval command is issued from a higher-level device, the banknote processing device will feed all the banknotes stored in the storage compartments 16 to the banknote transport mechanism 17, and the banknote transport mechanism 17 will transport the banknotes to the retrieval compartment 20 and retrieve them into the retrieval compartment 20.

[0031] Next, the collection unit 20, a characteristic part of the banknote processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described. Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the external configuration of the collection unit 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The collection unit 20 illustrated here comprises a collection unit body 21, a retrieval door 22, and a door locking mechanism 23.

[0032] The collection container body 21 has a box-like shape with an extraction opening 211a in the front wall 211 and an inlet 212a (see Figure 8) in the rear wall 212. The extraction opening 211a is rectangular in shape and extends across the entire front wall 211 of the collection container body 21, and is large enough to allow human fingers to pass through.

[0033] The entry opening 212a is an opening for introducing banknotes transported through the banknote transport mechanism 17, and is sized to allow the passage of one banknote at a time, while restricting the passage of human fingers.

[0034] Inside the main body of the recovery container 21, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a storage area 21a is defined facing the retrieval opening 211a, and a flapper 24 is provided to swing freely.

[0035] The storage area 21a is a conventionally known area that stores banknotes in a stacked state after they have been transported from all storage compartments 16 during the retrieval operation. The bottom 21b of this storage area 21a is attached to the bottom wall 213 of the retrieval compartment body 21 via a plurality of coil springs 21c and is constantly biased upward by the elastic restoring force of the coil springs 21c.

[0036] The flapper 24 is a plate-shaped member formed from, for example, a resin material, and is formed by cutting out appropriate notches. The flapper 24 has a shaft-like portion (not shown) formed at its rear end portion 241 which is pivotally supported by the left and right side walls 214 of the recovery container body 21, and the front end portion 242 is provided so as to be able to swing up and down around the axis of the shaft-like portion.

[0037] The flapper 24 has its front end portion 242 biased downward by a flapper spring 24a (see Figures 8 and 9), which is a biasing means interposed between the flapper 24 and the collection container body 21 in a manner that winds around its axial portion, thereby pressing the banknotes transported to the storage area 21a downward.

[0038] Incidentally, the side wall portion 214 of the collection container body 21 has multiple (two in the illustrated example) detection holes 214a formed in pairs on the left and right. The detection holes 214a on the side close to the retrieval opening 211a are for transmitting detection light from a detection means such as an optical sensor to detect whether or not the storage area 21a is full of banknotes, and the detection holes 214a on the side further away from the retrieval opening 211a are for transmitting detection light from a detection means such as an optical sensor to detect whether or not the retrieval opening 211a is open.

[0039] The retrieval door 22 is a door body that is large enough to close the retrieval opening 211a. This retrieval door 22 is pivotally supported on the lower edge of the retrieval opening 211a in the recovery storage body 21 and is provided to swing in a manner that opens and closes the retrieval opening 211a.

[0040] The retrieval door 22 has a front surface 221 that constitutes the outer surface and a rear surface 222 that constitutes the inner surface, and an inner surface cover 25 is provided in such a manner that it covers the entire area of ​​the rear surface 222. The inner surface cover 25 has a color that has excellent light absorption properties, and in this embodiment it is black.

[0041] The door locking mechanism 23 comprises a key cylinder 23a and a locking piece 23b. The key cylinder 23a is provided on the access door 22 and has a keyhole 231. The keyhole 231 is provided in such a manner that it is exposed from the upper surface 223 of the access door 22.

[0042] When a key cylinder 23a is inserted into the keyhole 231 and unlocked, it rotates clockwise around its central axis, causing a hook piece 232, which is formed to protrude from the outside of the cylinder, to rotate clockwise.

[0043] On the other hand, when the key cylinder 23a is inserted into the keyhole 231 and the locking operation is performed, it rotates counterclockwise around its own central axis, causing the hook piece 232 to rotate counterclockwise.

[0044] The locking piece 23b is formed in such a manner that it protrudes downward from the top wall portion 215 of the retrieval container body 21. This locking piece 23b is formed to extend into the rotational range of the hook piece 232 when the retrieval door 22 is closed over the retrieval opening 211a.

[0045] Such a door locking mechanism 23, when the retrieval door 22 is in a state where it is closing the retrieval opening 211a, and the retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole 231 and the locking operation is performed, causes the hook piece 232 to rotate counterclockwise by the key cylinder 23a, and as shown in Figure 7, the hook piece 232 engages with the locking piece 23b, thereby preventing the retrieval opening 211a, which has been closed by the retrieval door 22, from opening.

[0046] On the other hand, the door lock mechanism 23 allows the retrieval opening 211a, which is closed by the retrieval door 22, to open when the retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole 231 and the lock is opened. This is done by the key cylinder 23a, which rotates the hook piece 232 clockwise, releasing the lock between the hook piece 232 and the locking piece 23b. Reference numeral 26 in Figure 7 indicates a rib that restricts the entry of banknotes and the like around the key cylinder 23a.

[0047] Incidentally, a notch 215a is formed in the top wall portion 215 of the collection box body 21, and as shown in Figure 8, a banknote guide 27 and a flapper stopper 28 are provided.

[0048] The notch 215a is formed in the front end of the top wall portion 215, that is, in the central region of the upper edge portion of the removal opening 211a. When the removal door 22 closes the removal opening 211a, this notch 215a allows the entry of the portion that forms the keyhole 231, which is part of the key cylinder 23a, thereby allowing the placement of the keyhole 231.

[0049] The banknote guides 27 are formed in such a manner that they protrude downward from both the left and right sides of the area where the notch 215a is formed. As shown in Figure 9, these banknote guides 27 come into contact with a portion of the banknotes S (shown only in Figure 9) that have been transported into the storage area 21a, thereby restricting a portion of the banknotes S from coming into close proximity to the rotational range of the hook piece 232 in the door lock mechanism 23.

[0050] The flapper stoppers 28 are formed in such a manner that they protrude downward from both the left and right sides of the front end of the top wall portion 215. As shown in Figure 9, these flapper stoppers 28 abut against the front end portion 242 of the flapper 24, which swings upward against the biasing force of the flapper spring 24a, and restrict the amount of upward swing of the front end portion 242.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1, the recovery unit 20 having such a configuration is mounted on the device body 1 in such a manner that only the front surface 221 of the removal door 22 that closes the removal opening 211a is exposed to the outside of the device body 1.

[0052] By the way, although it was mentioned that the collection container 20 is detachably attached to the main body of the device 1, as shown in Figure 1, when it is attached to the main body of the device 1, it is designed so that it cannot be detached from the main body of the device 1 unless an retrieval key (not shown) is inserted into a predetermined retrieval keyhole 18 and an retrieval operation is performed. In other words, the collection container 20 is not designed to be easily detached from the main body of the device 1.

[0053] Then, when the retrieval operation described above is performed, the retrieval key is inserted into the retrieval keyhole 18 and the retrieval operation is performed, thereby removing the retrieval unit 20 from the main unit 1 and storing it in a safe or the like managed by the administrator.

[0054] Furthermore, when the banknotes stored in the collection box 20 are removed from the main unit 1, an retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole 231 of the collection box 20 and the lock is opened. This causes the retrieval door 22 to swing in the direction of opening, creating an opening for the retrieval opening 211a, allowing an administrator or other person to insert their fingers and retrieve the banknotes that have been pressed by the flapper 24.

[0055] As described above, according to the banknote processing device which is an embodiment of the present invention, the keyhole 231 of the key cylinder 23a constituting the door lock mechanism 23 is provided in such a manner that it is exposed to the outside from the upper surface 223 of the dispensing door 22. Therefore, when the collection box 20 is attached to the device body 1, the keyhole 231 is formed in a location that is not exposed to the outside of the collection box 20. This improves the security effect by preventing unauthorized unlocking operations by malicious actors, even when the banknote processing device is used as a so-called self-checkout machine.

[0056] According to the above-described banknote processing device, a notch 215a is formed in the upper edge portion of the retrieval opening 211a in the top wall portion 215 of the collection box body 21, allowing for the placement of a keyhole 231. Therefore, even if the door lock mechanism 23 is positioned such that the keyhole 231 is exposed from the upper surface 223 of the retrieval door 22, it is not necessary to increase the dimensions of the collection box 20, thus suppressing the enlargement of the collection box 20. Because the enlargement of the collection box 20 can be suppressed in this way, it can be attached to the device body 1 available on the market, thereby improving versatility.

[0057] According to the above-described banknote processing device, the black inner surface cover 25 is provided in such a manner that it covers the entire rear surface 222 of the retrieval door 22. Therefore, when the collection compartment 20 is mounted on the device body 1 with the retrieval door 22 closing the retrieval opening 211a, it is possible to suppress the entry of ambient light such as sunlight into the device body 1, thereby preventing false detections by detection means such as light sensors (detection means for detecting whether the storage area 21a is full of banknotes or detection means for detecting whether the retrieval opening 211a is open or closed).

[0058] According to the above-described banknote processing device, the banknote guides 27, which are formed in such a manner that they protrude downward from both the left and right sides of the notch 215a in the top wall portion 215 of the collection chamber body 21, come into contact with a portion of the banknotes S (see Figure 9) transported to the storage area 21a. This restricts a portion of the banknotes S from coming close to the rotational range of the hook piece 232 in the door lock mechanism 23, thereby suppressing the occurrence of banknote jams and other problems.

[0059] According to the above-described banknote processing device, the flapper 24 stoppers, which are formed on both the left and right sides of the front end of the top wall portion 215 of the collection chamber body 21 in a manner that protrudes downward, come into contact with the front end portion 242 of the flapper 24, which swings upward against the biasing force of the flapper 24 spring, thereby restricting the amount of upward swing of the front end portion 242, and thus suppressing the occurrence of banknote jams and the like.

[0060] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the external configuration while also showing the internal structure of a modified example of a banknote processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that components identical to those in the banknote processing device of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0061] The banknote processing device illustrated here is intended for use as an automatic change dispenser in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, and comprises a main unit 1. A collection compartment 30 is detachably provided at the lower front portion of the main unit 1.

[0062] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the collection unit 30 shown in Figure 10, and Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the collection unit 30 shown in Figure 11. The collection unit 30 illustrated here comprises a collection unit body 21, a retrieval door 32, and a door locking mechanism 33.

[0063] The retrieval door 32 is a door body large enough to close the retrieval opening 211a (see Figure 14) in the recovery storage body 21. Similar to the retrieval door 22, the retrieval door 32 is pivotally supported on the lower edge of the retrieval opening 211a in the recovery storage body 21 and is provided to swing in a manner that opens and closes the retrieval opening 211a.

[0064] The retrieval door 32 has an outer surface formed by its front 321 and an inner surface formed by its rear (not shown). The door locking mechanism 33 comprises a key cylinder 33a and a locking piece (not shown). The key cylinder 33a is provided on the retrieval door 32 and has a keyhole 331. The keyhole 331 is provided in such a manner that it is exposed from a recessed portion 323 at the upper central part of the front surface of the retrieval door 32.

[0065] Such a key cylinder 33a rotates clockwise around its central axis when an retrieval key (not shown) is inserted into the keyhole 331 and the lock is opened. On the other hand, when an retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole 331 and the lock is opened, the key cylinder 33a rotates counterclockwise around its central axis. The function of such a key cylinder 33a is the same as that of the key cylinder 23a described above.

[0066] Such a door locking mechanism 33 prevents the opening of the retrieval opening 211a, which is closed by the retrieval door 32, from opening when a retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole 331 and the locking operation is performed while the retrieval door 32 is closed. On the other hand, the door locking mechanism 33 allows the opening of the retrieval opening 211a, which is closed by the retrieval door 32, from opening when a retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole 331 and the unlocking operation is performed while the retrieval door 32 is closed by the retrieval opening 211a.

[0067] The above-mentioned removal door 32 is provided with a key cover member 40. The key cover member 40 is large enough to close the recessed portion 323 of the removal door 32. The key cover member 40 is provided so as to be rotatable back and forth in a manner that moves closer to and further away from the keyhole 331 around the central axis of the shaft-shaped portion 323a, by inserting a pair of shaft-shaped portions 323a that extend in the left-right direction from the edge of the recessed portion 323 into a shaft support hole 41 that extends in the left-right direction formed at the rear of the upper end in Figure 12.

[0068] In other words, when the key cover member 40 rotates in a manner close to the keyhole 331, it covers the keyhole 331 while closing the recessed portion 323 as shown in Figure 11, while when it rotates in a manner away from the keyhole 331, it exposes the keyhole 331 while opening the recessed portion 323 as shown in Figure 13. In normal conditions, the key cover member 40 is close to the keyhole 331 due to its own weight, covering the keyhole 331 while closing the recessed portion 323.

[0069] Furthermore, such a key cover member 40 has an upward extension 42 that extends upward in Figure 12 from the upper rear end where the pivot hole 41 is formed. Therefore, when the recovery compartment 30 is attached to the device body 1 as shown in Figure 10, a part of the device body 1 is positioned in the rear area of ​​the upward extension 42, as shown in Figure 14. As a result, even if the key cover member 40 attempts to rotate forward in a manner that separates it from the keyhole 331, the forward rotation of the key cover member 40 is restricted because a part of the device body 1 is positioned on the rotation trajectory of the upward extension 42.

[0070] Therefore, when the collection box 30 is attached to the device body 1, the key cover member 40 is held in a position close to the keyhole 331 and covers the keyhole 331. On the other hand, when the collection box 30 is detached from the device body 1, the key cover member 40 allows the keyhole 331 to be exposed, provided that it is rotated.

[0071] As explained above, according to the above-described banknote processing device, the key cover member 40, which is rotatably disposed on the retrieval door 32 in a manner that moves in close to and away from the keyhole 331, is held in a state close to the keyhole 331 and covers the keyhole 331 when the collection box 30 is attached to the device body 1, while when the collection box 30 is detached from the device body 1, the keyhole 331 is allowed to be exposed provided that it is rotated. Thus, when the collection box 30 is attached to the device body 1, the keyhole 331 is not exposed to the outside, and as a result, even when the banknote processing device is used as a so-called self-checkout, the security effect can be improved by preventing unauthorized unlocking operations by malicious actors.

[0072] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0073] In the embodiment described above, the keyhole 231 constituting the door lock mechanism 23 was provided in such a manner that it was exposed to the outside from the upper surface 223 of the retrieval door 22. However, in the present invention, it is sufficient that the keyhole is not exposed to the outside when the retrieval unit is mounted on the device body. For example, the keyhole constituting the door lock mechanism may be provided in a location that is not exposed to the outside when the retrieval unit is mounted on the device body, and is not limited to the upper surface of the retrieval door. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...Main unit, 10...Input slot, 11...Output slot, 13...Input section, 14...Output section, 15...Identification section, 16...Storage compartment, 17...Banknote transport mechanism, 20...Collection compartment, 21...Collection compartment body, 21a...Storage area, 211a...Removal opening, 215a...Notch, 22...Removal door, 221...Front, 222...Rear, 223...Top, 23...Door locking mechanism, 23a...Key cylinder, 23b...Locking piece, 231...Keyhole, 232...Hook piece, 24...Flapper, 24a...Flapper spring, 241...Rear end section, 242...Front end section, 25...Inner cover, 27...Banknote guide, 28...Flapper stopper.

Claims

1. A banknote processing device that, when banknotes are inserted into a deposit compartment provided in the main body of the device, performs a deposit operation in which banknotes meeting predetermined conditions are stored in the corresponding storage compartment, and when a retrieval command is given, performs a retrieval operation in which banknotes to be stored in each storage compartment are transported to a retrieval compartment detachably provided in the main body of the device and retrieved into the retrieval compartment, The aforementioned collection storage unit is A collection box body having a designated storage area for storing the aforementioned banknotes, A removal door is provided on the main body of the collection container so as to be pivotable, in such a manner as to open and close the removal opening formed in the main body of the collection container, A door locking mechanism that restricts the opening of the retrieval opening, which is closed by the retrieval door, when the retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole and the locking operation is performed, while allowing the opening of the retrieval opening, which is closed by the retrieval door, when the retrieval key is inserted into the keyhole and the locking operation is performed. The device is equipped with such that, when mounted on the main body of the device, only the front surface of the outlet door that closes the outlet opening is exposed to the outside. The banknote processing device is characterized in that the keyhole is provided on the upper surface of the dispensing door that closes the dispensing opening, which is not exposed to the outside when the device is mounted on the main body.

2. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection container has a notch formed in the upper edge portion of the collection opening in the collection container body to allow for the placement of the keyhole.

3. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection compartment is provided in such a manner that it covers the entire area of ​​the rear surface constituting the inner surface of the retrieval door, and is equipped with an inner cover that exhibits a color with excellent light absorption properties.

4. The collection container body is equipped with a flapper whose front end portion is swivelable up and down and which presses the banknotes transported into the storage area downwards. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection container is equipped with a flapper stopper that contacts the front end portion of the flapper which swings upward and restricts the amount of upward swing of the front end portion.

5. The banknote processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collection container is equipped with a banknote guide that restricts a portion of the banknotes transported to the storage area from coming into contact with the door locking mechanism.

Images