Device, arrangement and methods for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for aligning and accumulating stacks (2, 2a, 2b) of value documents. The device (1) comprises an alignment area (10) for aligning value documents, a collecting area (20), a first side support (11), a second side support (12) and a retaining unit (14). The first side support (11) can move from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20). The first side support (11) and the second side support (12) clamp a first stack (2a) of value documents therebetween during a movement (5a) of the first stack (2a) into the collecting area (20). The retaining unit (14) retains the first stack (2a) moved into the collecting area (20) during a movement (5b) of the first side support (11) back into the alignment area (10). The invention also relates to an arrangement (100) as well as methods for aligning and accumulating stacks (2, 2a, 2b) of value documents.

Description

[0001]

[0002] Device, arrangement and methods for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents

[0003] The disclosure generally relates to value document processing systems. In particular, the invention relates to a device, an arrangement and methods for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0004] Value document processing devices are employed in a variety of applications, like for instance banknote processing devices. Such banknote processing devices may include banknote stacking systems, banknote sorting systems, banknote singling systems, or combinations thereof. Usually, value document trays are used to transport value documents to and from the respective value document processing device. For example, a robot unit may be used to remove the value documents from the value document processing device in order to place them into the tray. During the removal, the value documents may be present in a stacked form, i.e., in the form of value document stacks comprising multiple value documents, e.g., banknotes. When removing the value document stacks from an output compartment of the value document processing device, the value documents might not be aligned with each other which makes the further processing of these documents more difficult. Furthermore, existing systems often require multiple steps for aligning and collecting value document stacks.

[0005] It may be seen as an object of the invention to provide a more efficient alignment and collecting process for value document stacks.

[0006] A device, an arrangement and methods according to the features of the independent claims are provided. Further embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and from the following description.

[0007] According to an aspect, a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents, e.g., banknotes, is provided. The device comprises an alignment area configured to align value documents of a first stack of value documents with respect to each other, in particular to align the edges of the value documents with respect to each other. The device further comprises a collecting area, a first side support, a second side support and a retaining unit configured to be arranged between the alignment area and the collecting area. The first side support is configured to be moved from the alignment area into the collecting area. In particular, the first side support is configured to move the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area. The first side support and the second side support are movably mounted with respect to the alignment area and the collecting area in order to enable a (forward) movement of the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area. The first side support and the second side support are configured to clamp the first stack of value documents between the first side support and the second side support when the first side support moves the first stack of value documents into the collecting area. The retaining unit is configured to retain the first stack of value documents moved into the collecting area during a (backward) movement of the first side support back into the alignment area.

[0008] The inventive device, herein also referred to as alignment and accumulation device, provides a more efficient, in particular faster alignment and accumulation process for value document stacks, e.g., banknotes. For example, the device allows that stacks of value documents removed from a value document processing device may only have to be transported once by means of a robot gripper in order to obtain an aligned overall, i.e., accumulated, value document stack. The inventive device therefore allows a faster process than, for example, a two-stage process in which a robot unit must transport the value documents multiple times to obtain an aligned overall stack of value documents. This is because moving the stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area of the inventive device is faster than transferring the stack to a separate accumulation device by a robot unit. In other words, the inventive device provides a fast and efficient alignment and accumulation of value document stacks, wherein the aligned and accumulated stacks can be easily removed from the device for filling them into trays or for further processing the aligned and accumulated stacks.

[0009] The alignment area may define a space within the device in which several value documents in the form of a value document stack, for example comprising 100 value documents, can be placed. The stack of value documents may be placed in the alignment area such that the individual value documents stand with their edges on a floor element of the alignment area. In particular, the alignment area may be configured to align the value documents of the first stack received in the alignment area, and to align value documents of a second stack received in the alignment area, after the first stack has been moved from the alignment area into the collecting area.

[0010] Similarly, the collecting area may define a space within the device in which several value documents in the form of value document stacks, for example comprising 400 or 500 value documents, can be placed. The stack of value documents may be placed in the collecting area such that the individual value documents stand with their edges on a floor element of the collecting area.

[0011] The alignment area may be adjacent, preferably directly adjacent, the collecting area. In particular, the collecting area is directly arranged next to the alignment area, wherein the retaining unit or at least parts thereof provide a separation between the alignment area and the collecting area, at least in a predefined state of the retaining unit. That is, the retaining unit may be configured to be at least partially arranged between the alignment area and the collecting area and may have the function to retain accumulated stacks of value documents that have already been moved from the alignment area to the collecting area.

[0012] The first side support may be configured as a movable side wall having recesses, e.g., slots. The first side support may have the function to hold a value document stack or to provide a side support for a value document stack which was inserted into the alignment area. The first side support may thus prevent the value documents of the stack from falling over or out of the device.

[0013] The first side support may be moved from the alignment area towards and / or into the collecting area being arranged adjacent the alignment area. Therefore, the first side support may be movably mounted to a frame or housing of the device such that the first side support may move according to a translational, e.g., linear, movement along the alignment area allowing the first side support to push the value document stack inserted into the alignment area against the second side support.

[0014] The second side support may also be configured as a movable side wall having recesses, e.g., slots. The second side support may have the function to hold a value document stack or to provide a side support for a value document stack which was moved into the collecting area. The second side support may thus also prevent the value documents of the stack from falling over or out of the device.

[0015] The second side support may be arranged within the device such that it cannot enter the alignment area but is only movable within the collecting area. However, the second side support may be moved within the collecting area, for example when the second side support is pushed by a pushing force applied on the first side support. In particular, when the first side support pushes the value document stack against the second side support, the second side support will automatically move in the same direction as the first side support and the value document stack. During this (forward) movement of the value document stack into the collecting area, the value document stack may be fixed, i.e., clamped, between the first side support and the second side support, the fixation or clamping being enabled by the pushing force of the first side support against the value document stack and the second side support. The second side support may be movably mounted to a frame or housing of the device such that the second side support may move according to a translational, e.g., linear, movement along the collecting area allowing the value document stack to be moved into the collecting area. It is possible that the clamping of the first stack of value documents between the first side support and the second side support occurs when the first side support moves the first stack towards the retaining unit and the first stack arrives at or contacts the retaining unit. The clamping of the first stack of value documents between the first side support and the second side support may ensure that the value documents, in particular the edges of the value documents, of the first stack which have been aligned in the alignment area remain aligned also during the (forward) movement of the first stack into the collecting area.

[0016] The retaining unit may have the function to allow a (forward) movement of a value document stack from the alignment area into the collecting area and to prevent a back- movement of said value document stack from the collecting area into the alignment area. That is, the retaining unit may prevent that the value document stack which was moved into the collecting area is moved back into the alignment area. The retaining unit may be additionally configured to allow a (backward) movement of the first side support back into the alignment area but to prevent a (back-)movement of the value document stack back into the alignment area. The retaining unit may thus be seen as a blocking element that selectively blocks a movement passage for a value document stack movement back into the alignment area.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the first side support is configured to move a second stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area, while the first stack of value documents is retained within the collecting area, thereby accumulating the first stack of value documents and the second stack of value documents within the collecting area, wherein the retaining unit is configured to retain the accumulated first stack and second stack moved into the collecting area during a further (backward) movement of the first side support back into the alignment area. In particular, during the further (backward) movement of the first side support back into the alignment area, the retaining unit and the second side support may be configured to clamp the accumulated first stack and second stack which have been moved into the collecting area.

[0018] In other words, the first side support may be configured to move the first stack and the second stack from the alignment area into the collecting area one after another, in order to combine or accumulate the (aligned) first stack and second stack in the collecting area, i.e., after their alignment in the alignment area.

[0019] This means that the second stack of value documents may be moved into the collecting area in the same way as the first stack of value documents was moved into the collecting area. However, at this stage, the first stack of value documents is already present in front of the second side support, such that the second stack of value documents is moved towards and then pushed against the first stack of value documents, thus moving the second stack of value documents into the collecting area until the retaining unit closes the movement passage between the collecting area and the alignment area in order to prevent a back-movement of the two stacks back into the alignment area. Again, the first side support may be allowed to move back into the alignment area such that the first side support can be used for a further stack of value documents to be moved into the collecting area.

[0020] This process can be repeated for several stacks of value documents inserted into the alignment area such that all these stacks can be subsequently moved into and collected within the collecting area in the same manner until a collected, i.e., accumulated, and aligned overall stack of value documents is created within the collecting area. This collected, i.e., accumulated, and aligned overall stack of value documents may simply be referred to herein as accumulated stack of value documents. The accumulated stack of value documents may be removed from the collecting area by means of a robot unit as described in further detail below.

[0021] In an example, the first side support is movably mounted with respect to the alignment area and the collecting area such that the first side support is at least partially moved through the alignment area during the movement of the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area. Additionally or alternatively, the first side support is movably mounted with respect to the alignment area and the collecting area such that the first side support is at least partially moved into the collecting area during the movement of the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area.

[0022] For example, the first side support may be positioned in a starting position within the alignment area. For moving a stack of value documents, e.g., the first stack of value documents, which is currently positioned within the alignment area, the first side support is pushed, for example automatically via an actuation unit, and moved towards the second side support through the alignment area such that said stack of value documents is clamped between the first and second side support. The first and second side support together with the stack of value documents clamped therebetween is then further moved into the collecting area.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the second side support and the retaining unit are configured to clamp the first stack of value documents between the second side support and the retaining unit during the movement of the first side support back into the alignment area, such that the first stack of value documents is retained within the collecting area.

[0024] In other words, the first side support can be moved back from the collecting area into the alignment area after the first stack of value documents has been moved into the collecting area. As soon as the first side support is located in the alignment area again, the second stack of value documents can be moved into the collecting area in the same way as the first stack of value documents has been moved into the collecting area. Afterwards, the first side support can be moved back into the alignment area and the process can be repeated for a third, fourth and further stacks of value documents.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the second side support is movably mounted with respect to the alignment area and the collecting area such that the second side support is at least partially moved through the collecting area during the movement of the first stack of value documents into the collecting area. Additionally or alternatively, the device, in particular a retaining element in a bottom surface of the collecting area, is configured to prevent a movement of the second side support from the collecting area into the alignment area.

[0026] The retaining element in the bottom surface of the collecting area may be a recess, for example a hole or slot, that is configured to receive a protrusion connected to the second side support. The protrusion may interact with the recess in the bottom surface of the collecting area in order to prevent the movement of the second side support from the collecting area into the alignment area.

[0027] For example, the second side support may be positioned in a starting position within the collecting area. For moving a stack of value documents, e.g., the first stack of value documents, which is currently positioned within the alignment area, the first side support is pushed and moved towards the second side support, thereby urging the second side support to move away from its starting position within the collecting area towards a another position, for example a parking position, within the collecting area that is farther away from the alignment area. At the parking position, the first and second side support together with the stack of value documents currently clamped therebetween may be stopped, i.e., they do not move relative to the collecting area anymore. In the parking position, a robot unit may grip the stack of value documents from the device and transfer it to another device or tray.

[0028] A locking mechanism of the device may be used to hold the first and second side support, and thus also the stack of value documents, in the parking position. Alternatively, no locking mechanism may be used, and the parking position may be provided by simply maintaining the pushing force applied to the first side support such that the first and second side support together with the stack of value documents currently clamped therebetween may be steadily held in the parking position.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the second side support is pretensioned towards the retaining unit in order to clamp the first stack of value documents between the second side support and the retaining unit during the movement of the first side support back into the alignment area, such that the first stack of value documents is retained within the collecting area.

[0030] In this manner, a sufficient clamping force may be provided between the second side support and the retaining unit until the next (second) stack of value documents is added to the first stack of value documents. The pretension for the second side support may be provided by a spring mechanism that is integrated into the device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an extra drive unit for driving the second side support. The second side support may thus be seen as a passively moved component.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the retaining unit comprises two or more retaining elements, e.g., two or more longitudinal retaining elements, spaced apart from each other, wherein the retaining elements are configured to contact a side surface of one value document of the first stack of value documents when retaining the first stack of value documents moved into the collecting area within the collecting area. The retaining elements may be present in the form of longitudinal bars, rods or posts that may extend into a movement passage between the alignment area and the collecting area when the first stack of value documents that were already moved into the collecting area are retained within the collecting area by means of the retaining elements. In this configuration, i.e., when retaining the first stack of value documents within the collecting area, the retaining elements may press against the side surface of an outermost value document of the first stack of value documents. In other words, due to the pretension of the second side support towards the retaining unit, the first stack of value documents is pressed, by means of the second side support, against the retaining unit, e.g., against the retaining elements.

[0032] The retaining elements may extend into the movement passage between the alignment area and the collecting area from above and / or from below, meaning that a first plurality of retaining elements may extend from an upper part of the device into the movement passage and a second plurality of retaining elements may extend from a lower part of the device, for example from a floor element of the alignment area and / or the collecting area, into the movement passage.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the first side support comprises two or more first recesses through which the retaining elements of the retaining unit are movable during the movement of the first side support back into the alignment area.

[0034] In other words, each of the first recesses in the first side support may allow a respective one of the retaining elements to pass therethrough when the first side support is moved from the collecting area back into the alignment area. The shape of the first recesses may thus correspond to a longitudinal shape of the retaining elements such that the retaining elements can pass through the first recesses. According to an embodiment, the retaining elements are configured to be moved between a first state and a second state, wherein, in the first state, the retaining elements are arranged between the alignment area and the collecting area in order to retain the first stack of value documents moved into the collecting area within the collecting area, wherein, in the second state, the retaining elements are moved, e.g., rotated or tilted (upwardly) about an axis, to provide a movement passage between the alignment area and the collecting area in order to allow the movement of the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area, wherein the retaining elements are biased towards the first state such that the retaining elements are moved, e.g., rotated or tilted (downwardly) about the axis, from the second state to the first state after the movement of the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area. The retaining elements may be configured to be permanently arranged between the alignment area and the collection area, although they may be movable between the first and the second state.

[0035] In the first state, the retaining elements may extend into the movement passage. When the first stack is moved from the alignment area through the movement passage into the collecting area, an upper edge of the first stack or an upper edge of at least one value document of the first stack may push the retaining elements out of the movement passage into their second state, such that the first stack can pass by the retaining elements and move through the movement passage. After the first stack has passed by the retaining elements and moved to the collecting area, the retaining elements may automatically move back from their second state to their first state, thereby preventing a back-movement of the first stack of value documents back into the alignment area, as described above. The biasing of the retaining elements towards the first state may encompass that the retaining elements are moved towards the first state due to a gravitational force acting on the retaining elements or due to a pretension of the retaining elements towards the first state, for example by means of a spring. According to an embodiment, the alignment area comprises a floor element configured to receive the first stack of value documents such that the value documents of the first stack of value documents are standing with their (first) edges, preferably with their longitudinal edges, on the floor element, thereby allowing an alignment of the edges, preferably an alignment of the longitudinal edges, with respect to each other within the alignment area.

[0036] This provides an efficient alignment of the value documents of a stack of value documents which is currently inserted into the alignment area. In particular, the value documents may be inserted into the alignment area and may be aligned according to their first edges, preferably according to their longer edges, such that these first edges of the value documents are aligned with respect to the flat floor element.

[0037] In order to align the value documents of the first / second stack, it may be sufficient that the alignment area provides enough space for the released first / second stack standing on the (longitudinal) edges, so that the longitudinal edges of the value documents of the respective stack can get aligned relative to each other by means of the influence of gravity. In addition, the aligning of the value documents of the respective stack may be supported by switching on vibration and / or supplying gas into the alignment area.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the floor element is inclined with respect to a horizontal reference plane of the device, in particular to align (second) edges, e.g., the transversal edges, of the value documents with respect to each other. Due to the inclination, the gravitational force will cause the value documents which are inserted into the alignment area to be moved against a side wall, thus aligning the (second) transversal edges of the value documents with respect to each other.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the floor element comprises a gas supply unit for supplying gas into the alignment area, in particular to facilitate alignment of the value documents with respect to each other. For example, the gas supplied into the alignment area may facilitate a relative movement between the adjoining value documents.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, the floor element is connected to a vibration unit configured to provide a vibrating movement of the floor element.

[0041] For example, the device may be placed onto a horizontal floor or table in an operating environment, wherein the reference plane of the device is arranged parallel with respect to the horizontal floor or table in the environment such that the floor element of the alignment area is inclined with respect to the horizontal floor or table in the environment. As a result, the gravitational force will cause the value documents which are inserted into the alignment area to be urged towards a lower portion of the floor element within the alignment area. A side wall may be arranged at the alignment area, wherein the side wall may perpendicularly extend from the floor element. This side wall may catch or receive the value documents, wherein second edges of the value documents will lie against the side wall when the value documents are urged towards the side wall. In this manner, the value documents may be inserted into the alignment area and may be aligned according to their second edges, preferably according to their shorter edges, such that these second edges of the value documents are aligned with respect to the flat side wall. In this manner, not only the (first) longer edges can be aligned with respect to each other but also the (second) shorter edges can be aligned with respect to each other.

[0042] The floor element may comprise a gas supply unit for supplying gas into the alignment area which promotes the stacks inserted into the alignment area to loosen up, i.e., to be fluffier. This reduces adherence between the value documents in a stack and facilitates an alignment of the value documents with respect to each other. The gas supply unit may comprise gas supply openings in the floor element that provide gas streams into the alignment area and thus towards a stack of value documents being located therein.

[0043] The floor element may be connected to a vibration unit configured to provide a vibrating movement of the floor element. A vibration of the floor element may also promote the stacks inserted into the alignment area to loosen up, i.e., to be fluffier, which in turn reduces adherence between the value documents in a stack and facilitates an alignment of the value documents with respect to each other.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the device further comprises a control unit configured to control a movement of the first side support from the alignment area towards the collecting area in order to move the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to control the (backward) movement of the first side support from the collecting area back into the alignment area.

[0045] Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to control a movement of the first side support from the alignment area towards the collecting area in order to move a second stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area. In other words, the control unit may be configured to control the first side support such that the first side support moves the first stack and the second stack into the collecting area one after another, in order to combine or accumulate the (aligned) first and second stacks in the collecting area. This process can be repeated for several further stacks of value documents.

[0046] The control unit may be connected to a drive unit or an actuation unit which is configured to initiate the corresponding movements of the first side support. In addition, the control unit may also be configured to control the retaining elements to actively move between the first and second state of the retaining elements. The control unit may also be configured to actively adjust an inclination angle of the floor element. The control unit may also be configured to actively adjust a gas stream supplied by the gas supply unit. The control unit may also be configured to control a vibrating movement of the floor element.

[0047] According to an aspect, an arrangement for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents is provided. The arrangement comprises a device, i.e., the inventive device, as described herein. The arrangement further comprises an arrangement control unit configured to control a first robot unit to remove the first stack of value documents from a value document processing device and to place the first stack of value documents into the alignment area of the inventive device. The arrangement control unit may be further configured to control the first robot unit to remove at least one second stack of value documents from the value document processing device and to place the at least one second stack of value documents into the alignment area of the inventive device. The arrangement control unit is further configured to control the first robot unit or a second robot unit to remove an accumulated stack of value documents from the collecting area of the inventive device, wherein the accumulated stack comprises the value documents of the first stack and the value documents of the at least one second stack.

[0048] In other words, the arrangement control unit may be configured to control the first robot unit to subsequently remove stacks of value documents from the value document processing device and subsequently place them into the inventive device where the stacks are aligned and accumulated.

[0049] In particular, the first robot unit may subsequently remove individual stacks of value documents, each including for example 100 value documents, from respective output compartments of a value document processing device and subsequently insert each of the stacks of value documents into the alignment area of the at least one inventive device.

[0050] The first robot unit or a different second robot unit may remove aligned and accumulated stacks of value documents, each including for example 400 or 500 value documents, from the collecting area of the at least one inventive device. After removal of the aligned and accumulated stacks of value documents, the aligned and accumulated stacks of value documents may be transferred by the first robot unit or the second robot unit into one or more value document trays or into other value document processing devices.

[0051] The arrangement may also comprise two or more of the inventive devices, as described herein. The arrangement control unit may thus be configured to control the first robot unit to remove the first stack of value documents from a value document processing device and to place the first stack of value documents into the alignment area of a selected one of the inventive devices. The arrangement control unit may be further configured to control the first robot unit to remove at least one second stack of value documents from the value document processing device, either from the same or from a different output compartment as the first stack, and to place the at least one second stack of value documents into the alignment area of the selected one of the inventive devices. The arrangement control unit is further configured to control the first robot unit or a second robot unit to remove an accumulated stack of value documents from the collecting area of the selected one of the inventive devices, wherein the accumulated stack comprises the value documents of the first stack and the value documents of the at least one second stack.

[0052] The arrangement control unit may be configured to control the first robot unit, when transporting the value document stacks from the value document processing device to respective devices, to carry out a sorting of the value document stacks, e.g., by denomination and / or orientation and / or position and / or authenticity and / or condition. So each of the aligning and accumulating devices can be assigned to a specific denomination and / or orientation and / or position and / or authenticity and / or condition of the value documents to be accumulated therein.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the first side support comprises a plurality of first recesses, wherein the second side support comprises a plurality of second recesses, wherein the first robot unit and / or the second robot unit comprises a plurality of first longitudinal gripper elements configured to be moved through respective ones of the plurality of first recesses of the first side support, wherein the first robot unit and / or the second robot unit comprises a plurality of second longitudinal gripper elements configured to be moved through respective ones of the plurality of second recesses of the second side support, wherein the first longitudinal gripper elements and the second longitudinal gripper elements are configured to clamp the accumulated stack of value documents located within the collecting area between the first longitudinal gripper elements and the second longitudinal gripper elements in order to remove the accumulated stack of value documents from the collecting area.

[0054] As indicated above, the device may comprise a control unit configured to control the first side support such that the first side support moves the first stack and the second stack from the alignment area into the collecting area one after another, in order to combine or accumulate the (aligned) first and second stacks in the collecting area.

[0055] When the accumulated stack of value documents is located in the collecting area, it is ready for removal but may still be clamped between the first side support and the second side support. The first recesses in the first side support and the second recesses in the second side support may be present in the form of longitudinal indentations or grooves that allow the respective longitudinal gripper elements which may be present in the form of rods, bars or posts to be inserted into and moved through the recesses such that the gripper elements can securely grip the accumulated stack of value documents to remove the accumulated stack from the collecting area. It may be possible, that the inventive device may be controlled by the control unit to reduce the clamping force with which the accumulated stack of value documents is clamped between the first and second side support when the first robot unit and / or the second robot unit has gripped the accumulated stack of value documents for removal.

[0056] According to an aspect, a method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents using a device is provided. For example, the method may be performed using the inventive device as described herein. A step of the method comprises inserting a first stack of value documents into an alignment area of the device. The inserting may be performed manually or automatically, e.g. by means of a robot. Another step of the method comprises aligning the value documents of the first stack of value documents with respect to each other within the alignment area. Another step of the method comprises clamping the first stack of value documents between a first side support and a second side support of the device. Another step of the method comprises using the first side support to move the first stack of value documents clamped between the first side support and the second side support into a collecting area. Another step of the method comprises retaining the first stack of value documents moved into the collecting area using a retaining unit of the device, wherein the retaining unit is configured to be arranged between the alignment area and the collecting area. Another step of the method comprises moving the first side support back into the alignment area.

[0057] The method may comprise a further step of inserting a second stack of value documents into the alignment area, aligning the value documents of the second stack of value documents with respect to each other within the alignment area, clamping the second stack of value documents between the first side support and the second side support and using the first side support to move the second stack of value documents clamped between the first side support and the second side support into the collecting area, thereby accumulating the first stack of value documents and the second stack of value documents in the collecting area (in order to provide an accumulated stack of value documents in the collecting area that comprises the value documents of the first stack and the value documents of the at least one second stack). After the accumulating, the method may comprise the step of moving the first side support back into the alignment area, and retaining the accumulated stack of value documents in the collecting area using the retaining unit, when the first side support is moved back into the alignment area.

[0058] According to an aspect, another method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents is provided. For example, the method may be performed using the inventive arrangement as described herein.

[0059] A step of the method comprises removing a first stack of value documents from a value document processing device using a first robot unit and inserting the first stack of value documents into an inventive device as described herein using the first robot unit. Another step of the method comprises aligning the first stack of value documents within the alignment area. Another step of the method comprises moving the first stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area.

[0060] Another step of the method comprises removing at least one second stack of value documents from the value document processing device, either from the same or from a different output compartment as the first stack, using the first robot unit and inserting the at least one second stack of value documents into the inventive device. Another step of the method comprises aligning the at least one second stack of value documents within the alignment area. Another step of the method comprises moving the at least one second stack of value documents from the alignment area into the collecting area. Another step of the method comprises accumulating the first stack of value documents and the at least one second stack of value documents in the collecting area in order to provide an accumulated stack of value documents that comprises the value documents of the first stack and the value documents of the at least one second stack. Another step of the method comprises removing the accumulated stack of value documents from the collecting area by the first robot unit or by a second robot unit.

[0061] Examples of embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings.

[0062] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0064] Fig. 3 shows another perspective view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0065] Fig. 4 shows a top view of a first configuration of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0066] Fig. 5 shows a top view of a second configuration of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0067] Fig. 6 shows a side view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents. Fig. 7 shows rear view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0068] Fig. 8 shows front view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0069] Fig. 9 shows a top view of a first configuration of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents, including a stack of value documents present within an alignment area.

[0070] Fig. 10 shows a top view of a second configuration of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents, including a stack of value documents present within a collecting area.

[0071] Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents, including a stack of value documents clamped between a first side support and a second side support.

[0072] Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a device for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents, including a stack of value documents clamped between a retaining unit and a second side support.

[0073] Fig. 13 shows a top view of an arrangement for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0074] Fig. 14 shows a top view of an alternative arrangement for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents. Fig. 15 shows a flow diagram of a method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0075] Fig. 16 shows a flow diagram of another method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents.

[0076] Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0077] The representations and illustrations in the drawings may be schematic and not to scale. A better understanding of the device, the arrangement and the methods described above may be obtained through a review of the shown illustrations together with a review of the detailed description that follows. Throughout the Figures, same reference numerals denote the same or at least similar elements.

[0078] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device 1 for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents, for example banknotes. The device 1 comprises an alignment area 10, a collecting area 20, a first side support 11, a second side support 12 and a retaining unit 14 arranged between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20. These components of the device 1 may be supported and / or carried by a base unit 30 that can be placed onto a floor or table of an operating environment.

[0079] The first side support 11 may be present in the form of a side wall having one or more first recesses 11a and the second side support 12 may be present in the form of a side wall having one or more second recesses. The first side support 11 and the second side support 12 are movably mounted with respect to the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20 in order to enable a (forward) movement 5a of a first stack of value documents (not shown) from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20. Figures 9 and 10 show configurations of the device indicating the transport of such a first stack 2a of value documents from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20. In particular, the first stack 2a of value documents is placed, for example by a robot unit (not shown), into the alignment area 10 such that the first stack 2a of value documents rests on a floor element 16 of the alignment area 10 as shown in Fig 9. The device 1 may comprise an input unit 40 having a funnel-like shape that helps to insert a fluffy stack of value documents to be introduced into the alignment area 10. The first stack 2a of value documents are particularly standing with their edges on the floor element 16, thereby allowing an alignment of the value documents of the first stack 2a of value documents with respect to each other within the alignment area 10. In Figures 1 to 8, no stacks of value documents are shown in order to better illustrate the components of the device 1. However, it is noted that multiple stacks of value documents may be moved one after another within the device 1 as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0080] With reference to Fig. 1 again, the first side support 11 may be used to push the first stack of value documents (not shown) into the collecting area 20, thereby also pushing the second side support 12 in the same movement direction as the first stack of value documents. The device 1 may comprise a shifting mechanism 15 that is configured to enable a shifting movement of the first side support 11 and / or the second side support 12 relative to the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20. In particular, the shifting mechanism 15 may allow a translational or linear movement of the first side support 11 and / or the second side support 12 relative to the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20. The shifting mechanism 15 may comprise rods or bars and a sliding mechanism so that the first side support 11 and / or the second side support 12 can be linearly moved with respect to the base unit 30, the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20.

[0081] As an alternative to the above-described example, the aligned first value document stack can also be pushed from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20 by a stamping unit as the first side support 11, e.g., comprising one or more stamps. For example, the shorter sides of the value documents can be pushed past protrusions which separate the collecting area 20 from the alignment area 10, so that the shorter sides are bent backwards when pushed onto the protrusions in order to pass the protrusions, wherein the value documents straighten again in the collecting area 20. This is an alternative example for the first side support 11 that can also be used to push the value document stacks from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20.

[0082] When moved into the collecting area 20, the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 may clamp a stack of value documents therebetween. This means that the first side support 11 may push the stack of value documents as well as the second side support 12 in the same direction and away from the alignment area 10 when the stack is clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12. The pushing of the second side support 12 by the first side support 11 may require an additional pushing force applied by the first side support 11 as the second side support 12 may be pretensioned towards the alignment area 10, i.e., against the (forward) movement 5a into the collecting area 20. This pretension of the second side support 12 further increases the clamping force applied onto the stack currently clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12. The collecting area 20 may comprise a floor element 17 on which the value document stacks that are transferred from the alignment area 10 to the collecting area 20 are placed. In the collecting area 20, the value documents are particularly standing with their edges on the floor element 17 of the collecting area 20.

[0083] Once a stack of value documents has been moved into the collecting area 20, the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 may move back according to a (backward) movement direction 5b towards the alignment area 10, i.e., against the (forward) movement direction 5a. However, while the first side support 11 is moved back into the alignment area 10, the second side support 12 and the stack that has been moved into the collecting area 20 are not moved back into the alignment area 10. The stack and the second side support 12 are retained within the collecting are 20 by the retaining unit 14. This means that the retaining unit 14 is configured to retain the stack of value documents moved into the collecting area 20 during a (backward) movement 5b of the first side support 11 back into the alignment area 10. The second side support 12 can be partially moved through the collecting area 20 during the (forward) movement 5a of a stack of value documents from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20 but is prevented from moving from the collecting area 20 into the alignment area 10 due to the retaining unit 14.

[0084] The retaining unit 14 may comprise a plurality of first longitudinal elements 14a that, in a first state 141 as shown in Fig. 1, extend into a movement passage between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20 which prevents any stacks of value documents from being pushed back in to the alignment area 10 again. The first side support 11 may comprise a plurality of first recesses 11a through which the plurality of first longitudinal elements 14a respectively pass when the first side support 11 is moved from the collecting area 20 back into the alignment area 10, i.e., according to the (backward) movement direction 5b. The function of the retaining unit 14 will be described in more detail below.

[0085] The device 1 may comprise a control unit 50 configured to move the first side support 11 towards the second side support 12 in order to clamp a stack of value documents between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12, wherein the control unit 50 may be further configured to simultaneously move the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 when the stack of value documents is clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 such that the stack of value documents is moved into the collecting area 20.

[0086] Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of the device 1 of Fig. 1. In this Figure, the plurality of first retaining elements 14a as well as the plurality of first recesses 11a of the first side support 11 can be seen. It is derivable from this Figure that, if the first side support 11 would be moved further into alignment area 10, each of the first retaining elements 14a would be moved through a respective one of the first recesses 11a of the first side support 11. It is noted that the first recesses 11a of the first side support 11 may also allow gripper elements of a robot unit (not shown) to reach an accumulated stack of value documents clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12. In particular, the second side support 12 may comprise plurality of second recesses 12a allowing gripper elements of a robot unit (not shown) to reach the accumulated stack of value documents clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12. This means that, after collecting several stacks of value documents within the collecting area 20, an accumulated stack of value documents may be present in a clamped state between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 such that a robot gripper can grip this accumulated stack of value documents by moving its gripper fingers through the first recesses 11a on one side and through the second recesses 12a on the other side. This allows a removal of the accumulated stack of value documents from the device 1. With respect to the other components shown in Fig. 2, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0087] Fig. 3 shows another perspective view of the device 1 of Fig. 1. It is noted that Figures 2 and 3 show the device 1 in a configuration in which the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 are located within the collecting area 20. This configuration can be a parking position where the first and second side support 11, 12 together with a stack of value documents (not shown) currently clamped therebetween may be stopped, i.e., they do not move relative to the collecting area 20 anymore. In the parking position, a robot unit may grip and remove the accumulated stack of value documents from the device 1 as explained above. With respect to the other components shown in Fig. 3, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0088] Fig. 4 shows a top view of a first configuration of the device 1 of Fig. 1. In this first configuration, the first side support 11 is placed within the alignment area 10 and the second side support 12 is placed within the collecting area 20. There is a free space between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 in the alignment area 10 where a stack of value documents (not shown) can be received. In particular, a stack of value documents can now be inserted through the input unit 40 into the alignment area 10 where the value documents are particularly placed on their first (longer) edges, such that these first (longer) edges of the value documents are aligned with respect to the flat floor element 16 of the alignment area 10.

[0089] The floor element 16 may comprise a gas supply unit 18 for supplying gas into the alignment area 10 which promotes the stacks inserted into the alignment area 10 to loosen up, i.e., to be fluffier. The gas supply unit 18 may comprise gas supply openings 18a, for example in the form of slots, in the floor element 16 that provide respective gas streams into the alignment area 10 and thus towards a stack of value documents being located therein. With respect to the other components shown in Fig. 4, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0090] Fig. 5 shows a top view of a second configuration of the device 1 of Fig. 1. In this second configuration, the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 are placed within the collecting area 20, for example in the above-mentioned parking position where the first and second side support 11, 12 together with a stack of value documents (not shown) currently clamped therebetween may be stopped in order to allow a robot unit (not shown) to grip and remove an accumulated stack of value documents from the device 1.

[0091] In an example, a locking mechanism of the device 1 may be used to hold the first and second side support 11, 12, and thus also the stack of value documents, in the parking position. An alternative example in which no locking mechanism is used, the parking position may be provided by simply maintaining a pushing force applied to the first side support 11 such that the first and second side support 11, 12 together with the accumulated stack of value documents currently clamped therebetween may be held still in the parking position. With respect to the other components shown in Fig. 5, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0092] Fig. 6 shows a side view of the device 1 of Fig. 1. This side view provides a better understanding of the retaining unit 14 and its interaction with the recesses 11a, lib of the first side support 11. In particular, as can be seen in Fig. 6, the retaining unit 14 may comprise the plurality of first longitudinal elements 14a extending from above into a movement passage between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20 (cf. also Fig. 1) and a plurality of second longitudinal elements 14b extending from below into the movement passage between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20. Accordingly, the first side support 11 may have the plurality of first recesses 11a in the form of longitudinal indentations or grooves that protrude from an upper portion of the first side support 11 and downwards into the first side support 11. The shape of the plurality of first recesses 11a corresponds to the shape of the plurality of first longitudinal elements 14a such that, when the first side support 11 is moved from the alignment area 10 to the collecting area 20 or vice versa, each of the first longitudinal elements 14a passes through a respective one of the first recesses 11a. Furthermore, the first side support 11 may have a plurality of second recesses lib in the form of longitudinal indentations or grooves that protrude from a lower portion of the first side support 11 and upwards into the first side support 11. The shape of the plurality of second recesses lib corresponds to the shape of the plurality of second longitudinal elements 14b such that, when the first side support 11 is moved from the alignment area 10 to the collecting area 20 or vice versa, each of the second longitudinal elements 14b passes through a respective one of the second recesses lib.

[0093] Fig. 6 also shows that the floor element 16 of the alignment area 10 is inclined with respect to a horizontal reference plane 6 of the device 1, for example a ground floor in the operating environment of the device 1. This inclination of the floor element 16 further helps to align the value documents after insertion into the alignment area 10. In an example, the floor element 17 (cf. Fig. 1) of the collecting area 20 may also be inclined with respect to the horizontal reference plane 6 of the device 1, in particular with the same inclination angle as the floor element 16.

[0094] A side wall 13 of the device 1 may be arranged at the alignment area 10, wherein the side wall 13 may be perpendicularly arranged with respect to the floor element 16. The inclination of the floor element 16 leads to a downward force on the stack due to gravity such that the inserted stack slides towards the lower sidewall 13. This side wall 13 may catch or receive the value documents, wherein second (shorter or transversal) edges of the value documents will lie against the side wall 13 when the value documents are inserted into the alignment area 10. In this manner, the value documents may be inserted into the alignment area 10 and may be aligned according to their second (shorter or transversal) edges, such that these second edges of the value documents are aligned with respect to the flat side wall 13.

[0095] Fig. 6 also shows that the floor element 16 may be connected to a vibration unit 19 configured to provide a vibrating movement of the floor element 16. The vibration unit

[0096] 19 may comprise corresponding actuation mechanism to initiate the vibrating movement of the floor element 16. This further helps to algin the value documents which have been inserted into the alignment area 10. With respect to the other components shown in Fig. 6, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0097] Fig. 7 shows rear view of the device 1 of Fig. 1. The shifting mechanism 15 as well as the funnel-like shape of the input unit 40 can be seen in this Figure. The base unit 30 may comprise a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a height of the floor element 16 of the alignment area 10 and / or the floor element 17 of the collecting area

[0098] 20 (cf. Fig. 1). In Fig. 7, the first and second side support 11, 12 are located in the second configuration of the device 1, i.e., in the parking position. With respect to the other components shown in Fig. 7, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0099] Fig. 8 shows front view of the device 1 of Fig. 1. The first and second side support 11, 12 are again located in the second configuration of the device 1, i.e., in the parking position. With respect to the other components shown in Fig. 8, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0100] Fig. 9 shows a top view of the first configuration of the device of Fig. 1 (cf. also Fig. 4), including a stack 2 of value documents, in particular a first stack 2a, of value documents present within the alignment area 10. In this first configuration, the first side support 11 is placed within the alignment area 10 and the second side support 12 is placed within the collecting area 20. There is a free space between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 in the alignment area 10 where a stack 2, 2a of value documents is placed onto the floor element 16 of the alignment area 10. Preferably, the stack 2, 2a of value documents is inserted, by a gripper of a robot unit, into the alignment area 10 closer to the first side support 11. The stack 2, 2a of value documents was inserted through the input unit 40 into the alignment area 10 where the value documents are now placed on their first (longer) edges on the flat floor element 16, such that these first (longer) edges of the value documents are aligned with respect to the flat floor element 16 of the alignment area 10. The (first) longer edges of the value documents may align themselves with respect to each other after the stack is released by the gripper of the robot unit. Additionally, a gas supply into the alignment area 10 and / or a vibration of the floor element 16 may be provided for a better alignment. As described above, an additional inclination of the floor element 16 may lead to a downward force on the stack due to gravity such that the inserted stack slides towards the lower sidewall 13, thereby further improving the alignment. The first side support 11 can now be moved towards the second side support 12 such that the stack 2, 2a of value documents becomes clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12. In other words, the first side support 11 presses the stack 2, 2a of value documents against the second side support 12, thereby clamping the stack 2, 2a of value documents between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12. Once clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12, the stack 2, 2a of value documents is further moved into the second configuration, i.e., into the parking position.

[0101] In particular, Fig. 10 shows a top view of this second configuration or parking position of the device 1 (cf. also Fig. 5), including the stack 2, 2a of value documents within the collecting area 20. At the parking position, the first and second side support 11, 12 together with the stack 2, 2a of value documents currently clamped therebetween is in a stopped state, i.e., the first and second side support 11, 12 together with the stack 2, 2a do not move relative to the collecting area 20 anymore. In the parking position, a robot unit (not shown) may grip the stack 2, 2a of value documents from the device 1 and transfer it to another processing device or value document tray or to a value document cassette. It is possible that the clamping force with which the stack 2, 2a of value documents currently clamped between the first and second side support 11, 12 can be reduced when the robot unit grips the stack 2, 2a of value documents, e.g., by moving the side supports 11, 12 slightly apart from one another, preferably simultaneous or directly after the robot unit has clamped the stack 2, 2a, but before the robot unit starts to lift the stack 2, 2a. It is noted that a certain number of value documents stacks 2 is collected in the collecting area 20 before a robot unit removes this collected, i.e., accumulated, stack of value documents from the collecting area 20, in particular from the parking position. With respect to the other components shown in Figs. 9 and 10, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1. Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the device 1 of Fig. 1, including a stack 2, 2a of value documents clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12. In particular, Fig. 11 is a snapshot taken while the stack 2, 2a is being pushed into the collecting area 20 when the retaining elements 14a are just turned upwards (second state).

[0102] It should be understood that the longitudinal retaining elements 14a are configured to be moved between the first state 141 as shown in Fig. 1 and a second state 142 as shown in Fig. 11. In the first state 141 of Fig. 1, the longitudinal retaining elements 14a are arranged between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20 in order to retain a stack of value documents moved into the collecting area 20 within the collecting area 20. In the second state 142 of Fig. 11, the longitudinal retaining elements 14a are moved to provide a movement passage between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20 in order to allow the (forward) movement 5a of the stack 2, 2a of value documents from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20. The longitudinal retaining elements 14a are pushed, e.g., rotated upwardly, to unblock the passage between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20. Therefore, the longitudinal retaining elements 14a are pretensioned, for example spring-loaded, towards the first state 141 (cf. Fig. 1) such that the longitudinal retaining elements 14a are moved from the second state 142 (cf. Fig. 11) to the first state 141 after the (forward) movement 5a of the stack 2, 2a of value documents from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20. When the longitudinal retaining elements 14a have been moved from the second state 142 to the first state 141, the passage between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20 is blocked such that the stack 2, 2a of value documents moved to the collecting area 20 cannot move back to the alignment area 10. It is possible that only the first side support 11 can move back to the alignment area 10 due to the retaining element 14a passing through the recesses 11a of the first side support 11 as explained above. In this manner, several stacks 2 of value documents can be transferred from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20 to create an accumulated stack of value documents in the collecting area 20.

[0103] Fig. 12 now shows a perspective view of the device 1 of Fig. 1, including a stack 2 of value documents clamped between the retaining unit 14, in particular the longitudinal retaining elements 14a, and the second side support 12. That is, an accumulated stack 2c consisting of a first stack 2a and a second stack 2b is clamped between the retaining unit 14 and the second side support 12 since the longitudinal retaining elements 14a are in the first state 141. As can be seen, the first side support 11 has been moved back into the alignment area 10 while the accumulated stack 2c is blocked against moving back into the alignment area 10. The second side support 12 may be pretensioned, for example spring-loaded, in order to press the accumulated stack 2c against the longitudinal retaining elements 14a, thereby maintaining the clamped state of the accumulated stack 2c. This means that the pretension, for example a spring force, of the second side support 12 clamps the accumulated and aligned stack 2c in the collecting area 20 against the longitudinal retaining elements 14a to maintain the alignment of the value documents edges in the collecting area 20. With respect to the other components shown in Figs. 11 and 12, reference is made to the explanations on Fig. 1.

[0104] Fig. 13 shows a top view of an arrangement 100 for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the arrangement 100 comprises four devices 1 as described with respect to Figures 1 to 12 so that it is referred to these Figures regarding the components of the device 1.

[0105] Furthermore, the arrangement 100 may comprise a value document processing device 110, for example a value document stacking device, a value document sorting device, or a value document singling device. The value document processing device 110 may comprise an output compartment 110a and an input compartment 110b. The arrangement 100 further comprises an arrangement control unit 150 configured to control a first robot unit 111 to remove a stack of value documents from the value document processing device 110 and to place the stack of value documents into the alignment area 10 of a selected one of the devices 1. The arrangement control unit 150 is further configured to control the first robot unit 111 or a second robot unit 112 to remove an accumulated stack of value documents from the collecting area 20 of the selected one of the devices 1.

[0106] As described above, the first side support 11 may comprise a plurality of first recesses 11a and the second side support 12 may comprise a plurality of second recesses 12a. The first robot unit 111 or the second robot unit 112 may comprise a plurality of first longitudinal gripper elements, e.g., first fingers, configured to be moved through respective ones of the plurality of first recesses 11a of the first side support 11 and may comprise a plurality of second longitudinal gripper elements, e.g., second fingers, configured to be moved through respective ones of the plurality of second recesses 12a of the second side support 12. The first longitudinal gripper elements and the second longitudinal gripper elements may be configured to clamp the accumulated stack of value documents located within the collecting area 20 between the first longitudinal gripper elements and the second longitudinal gripper elements in order to remove the accumulated stack of value documents from the collecting area 20. The removed accumulated stack of value documents may be selectively placed into respective value document trays 113 or value document cassettes or into a further value document processing device.

[0107] In an example, the first robot unit 111 subsequently removes small stacks of value documents from one or more output compartments 110a of the value document processing device 110 and subsequently places, e.g., inserts, them into the alignment area 10 of a selected one of the devices 1. The inserted stack of value documents is then aligned in the alignment area 10 so that one or both edges of the value documents are aligned as closely as possible. An aligned (first) stack 2a of value documents (cf. Fig. 9) is then pushed by the first side support 11, which may be considered as a pusher that may be automatically or manually driven, into the collecting area 20 of the device 1, which is located directly next to the alignment area 10. After that, the first robot unit 111 may insert a next (second) stack 2b of value documents into the alignment area 10 so that it can also be aligned in the alignment area 10 and, after it has been aligned, it can also be pushed over into the collecting area 20 of the device 1 by means of the first side support 11, in order to bring the second stack 2b of value documents together with the first stack 2a of value documents already located in the collecting area 20 (cf. Fig. 12). In this manner, a collected, i.e., accumulated, and aligned (large) stack 2c of value documents can be provided. After a few such stacks 2a, 2b, etc. of value documents have been collected in this way in the collecting area 20, the accumulated aligned stack 2c can be removed from the device 1 by means of the first or second robot unit 111, 112, which transfers the accumulated aligned stack 2c to a further processing step or inserts it into a tray 113 or into an ATM (automated teller machine) cassette.

[0108] Regarding the above process, the value document processing device 110 exemplarily stacks 100 value documents at a time in its output compartments 110a. However, 400 or 500 value documents should to be transferred to the trays 113, for example, to be filled into ATM cassettes in a further step. To achieve this, the device 1 aligns and collects the value documents in order to increase the stack size from 100 value documents to an accumulated and aligned stack 2c of 400 or 500 value documents, e.g. 4 or 5 stacks 2a, 2b, etc. of 100 value documents each are combined and accumulated into one stack 2c of 400 or 500 value documents.

[0109] As explained above, several devices 1 can be present within the arrangement 100. Each of the devices 1 can be assigned to different types of value documents, e.g., currencies and / or denominations, and / or to different value document conditions like fit, unfit, ATM-fit or the like. When transporting the value document stacks 2a, 2b, etc. from the value document processing device 110 to respective devices 1, a sorting of the value document stacks 2a, 2b, etc. can be carried out, e.g., by denomination and / or orientation and / or position and / or authenticity and / or condition. For example, there can be one or more devices 1 for each denomination. The first robot unit 111 may preferably turn / orientate the value document stacks 2a, 2b, etc. so that they end up in the same orientation and / or position in the alignment area 10 of the device 1. In particular, the value document stacks 2a, 2b, etc. can be rotated by the first robot unit 111 before placing them into the respective device 1, so that they end up in the respective device 1 in the same orientation of possible four orientations. This makes it easier to further use the value documents and avoid a subsequent sorting or orienting.

[0110] The properties of the value documents to be sorted may be determined by the value document processing device 110, which sorts the value documents into the respective output compartments 110a according to a sorting scheme corresponding to the type of value document and / or condition and / or authenticity. A sorting scheme or several sorting schemes can also be specified for transportation by the first robot unit 111 from the value document processing device 110 to the respective devices 1, e.g. according to type of value document and / or condition and / or authenticity. For example, fit and unfit value documents can be transported to different devices 1. Alternatively or additionally, value documents of different denominations can be transported to different devices 1 or unfit value documents of several types (denominations) can be transported to the same device 1 to collect them therein, for example in a mixed manner.

[0111] Fig. 13 also shows a tray supply unit 114 where the stacks of value documents can be provided. In particular, the arrangement control unit 150 may be configured to control a third robot unit 115 to remove a stack of value documents from a value document tray in the tray supply unit 114 and to place the removed stack of value documents into the alignment area 10 of a selected one of the devices 1. In this manner, two or more stacks may be aligned and accumulated within the selected one of the devices 1. Afterwards, an aligned and accumulated stack can be removed from the selected one of the devices 1 by means of the first or second robot unit 111, 112, which transfers the aligned and accumulated stack to a further processing step, for example inserts the aligned and accumulated stack into the input compartment 110b of the value document processing device 110 or inserts it into a tray 113 or into an ATM (automated teller machine) cassette as described above.

[0112] Fig. 14 shows a top view of an alternative arrangement 100 for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the arrangement 100 comprises four devices 1 as described with respect to Figures 1 to 12 so that it is referred to these Figures regarding the components of the device 1. In this example, the arrangement control unit 150 is configured to control the first robot unit 111 to remove a stack of value documents from the output compartment 110a of the value document processing device 110 and to place the stack of value documents into the alignment area 10 of a selected one of the devices 1. In this manner, two or more stacks may be accumulated within the selected one of the devices 1 in order to provide an accumulated stack. The arrangement control unit 150 may be further configured to control the first robot unit 111 to remove the accumulated stack of value documents from the collecting area 20 of the selected one of the devices 1 and input the removed accumulated stack into the value document tray 113.

[0113] Fig. 15 shows a flow diagram of a method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents using a device. For example, Fig. 15 shows a method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents using the device 1 described with respect to Figures 1 to 12 above. The method may be performed using the device 1 as described with respect to Figures 1 to 12 above. A step S10 of the method comprises inserting a first stack 2a of value documents into an alignment area 10 of the device. Another step S20 of the method comprises aligning the value documents of the first stack 2a of value documents with respect to each other within the alignment area 10. Another step S30 of the method comprises clamping the first stack 2a of value documents between a first side support 11 and a second side support 12 of the device. Another step S40 of the method comprises using the first side support 11 to move the first stack 2a of value documents clamped between the first side support 11 and the second side support 12 into a collecting area 20. Another step S50 of the method comprises retaining the first stack 2a of value documents moved into the collecting area 20 using a retaining unit 14 of the device, wherein the retaining unit is configured to be arranged between the alignment area 10 and the collecting area 20. Another step S60 of the method comprises moving the first side support 11 back into the alignment area 10.

[0114] Fig. 16 shows a flow diagram of another method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents. For example, Fig. 16 shows a method for aligning and accumulating stacks of value documents using the arrangement 100 described with respect to Figures 13 and 14 above.

[0115] A step S110 of the method comprises removing a first stack 2a of value documents from a value document processing device 110 using a first robot unit 111 and inserting the first stack 2a of value documents into a device 1 as described with respect to Figures 1 to 12 above using the first robot unit 111. Another step S120 of the method comprises aligning the first stack 2a of value documents within the alignment area 10. Another step S130 of the method comprises moving the first stack 2a of value documents from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20. Another step S140 of the method comprises removing at least one second stack 2b of value documents from the value document processing device 110 using the first robot unit 111 and inserting the at least one second stack 2b of value documents into the device 1. Another step S150 of the method comprises aligning the at least one second stack 2b of value documents within the alignment area 10. Another step S160 of the method comprises moving the at least one second stack 2b of value documents from the alignment area 10 into the collecting area 20.

[0116] Another step S170 of the method comprises accumulating the first stack 2a of value documents and the at least one second stack 2b of value documents in the collecting area 20 in order to provide an accumulated stack 2c of value documents that comprises the value documents of the first stack 2a and the value documents of the at least one second stack 2b. Another step S180 of the method comprises removing the accumulated stack 2c of value documents from the collecting area 20 by the first robot unit 111 or by a second robot unit 112.

Claims

Claims1. A device (1) for aligning and accumulating stacks (2, 2a, 2b) of value documents, comprising: an alignment area (10) configured to align value documents of a first stack (2a) of value documents; a collecting area (20); a first side support (11) and a second side support (12); a retaining unit (14) configured to be arranged between the alignment area (10) and the collecting area (20); wherein the first side support (11) is configured to be moved from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20); wherein the first side support (11) and the second side support (12) are movably mounted with respect to the alignment area (10) and the collecting area (20) in order to enable a movement (5a) of the first stack (2a) of value documents from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20); wherein the first side support (11) and the second side support (12) are configured to clamp the first stack (2a) of value documents between the first side support (11) and the second side support (12) when the first side support (11) moves the first stack (2a) of value documents into the collecting area (20); wherein the retaining unit (14) is configured to retain the first stack (2a) of value documents moved into the collecting area (20) during a movement (5b) of the first side support (11) back into the alignment area (10).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first side support (11) is configured to move a second stack (2b) of value documents from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20), while the first stack (2a) of value documents is retained within the collecting area (20), thereby accumulating the first stack (2a) of valuedocuments and the second stack (2b) of value documents within the collecting area (20); wherein the retaining unit (14) is configured to retain the accumulated first stack (2a) and second stack (2b) moved into the collecting area (20) during a further movement (5b) of the first side support (11) back into the alignment area (10).

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second side support (12) and the retaining unit (14) are configured to clamp the first stack (2a) of value documents between the second side support (12) and the retaining unit (14) during the movement (5b) of the first side support (11) back into the alignment area (10), such that the first stack (2a) of value documents is retained within the collecting area (20).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second side support (12) is movably mounted with respect to the alignment area (10) and the collecting area (20) such that the second side support (12) is at least partially moved through the collecting area (20) during the movement (5a) of the first stack (2a) of value documents into the collecting area (20); and / or wherein the device (1), in particular a retaining element in a bottom surface of the collecting area (10), is configured to prevent a movement of the second side support (12) from the collecting area (20) into the alignment area (10).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second side support (12) is pretensioned towards the retaining unit (14) in order to clamp the first stack (2a) of value documents between the second side support (12) and the retaining unit (14) during themovement (5b) of the first side support (11) back into the alignment area (10), such that the first stack (2a) of value documents is retained within the collecting area (20).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining unit (14) comprises two or more retaining elements (14a) spaced apart from each other; wherein the retaining elements (14a) are configured to contact a side surface (3) of one value document of the first stack (2a) of value documents when retaining the first stack (2a) of value documents moved into the collecting area (20) within the collecting area (20).

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first side support (11) comprises two or more of first recesses (11a) through which the retaining elements (14a) of the retaining unit (14) are movable during the movement (5b) of the first side support (11) back into the alignment area (10).

8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the retaining elements (14a) are configured to be moved between a first state (141) and a second state (142); wherein, in the first state (141), the retaining elements (14a) are arranged between the alignment area (10) and the collecting area (20) in order to retain the first stack (2a) of value documents moved into the collecting area (20) within the collecting area (20); wherein, in the second state (142), the retaining elements (14a) are moved to provide a movement passage between the alignment area (10) and the collecting area (20) in order to allow the movement (5a) of the first stack (2a) of value documents from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20);wherein the retaining elements (14a) are biased towards the first state(141) such that the retaining elements (14a) are moved from the second state(142) to the first state (141) after the movement (5a) of the first stack (2a) of value documents from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20).

9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment area (10) comprises a floor element (16) configured to receive the first stack (2a) of value documents such that the value documents of the first stack (2a) of value documents are standing with their edges, preferably with their longitudinal edges, on the floor element (16), thereby allowing an alignment of the edges, preferably an alignment of the longitudinal edges, with respect to each other within the alignment area (10).

10. Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the floor element (16) is inclined with respect to a horizontal reference plane (6) of the device (1); and / or wherein the floor element (16) comprises a gas supply unit (18) for supplying gas into the alignment area (10); and / or wherein the floor element (16) is connected to a vibration unit (19) configured to provide a vibrating movement of the floor element (16).

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a control unit (50) configured to control a movement of the first side support (11) from the alignment area (10) towards the collecting area (20) in order to move the first stack (2a) of value documents from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20).

12. An arrangement (100) for aligning and accumulating stacks (2, 2a, 2b) of value documents, comprising:a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; an arrangement control unit (150) configured to control a first robot unit (111) to remove the first stack (2a) of value documents from a value document processing device (110) and to place the first stack (2a) of value documents into the alignment area (10); wherein the arrangement control unit (150) is configured to control the first robot unit (111) or a second robot unit (112) to remove an accumulated stack (2c) of value documents from the collecting area (20); wherein the accumulated stack (2c) comprises the value documents of the first stack (2a) of value documents and the value documents of at least one second stack (2b) of value documents.

13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein the first side support (11) comprises two or more first recesses (11a); wherein the second side support (12) comprises two or more second recesses (12a); wherein the first robot unit (111) and / or the second robot unit (112) comprises two or more first gripper elements configured to be moved through respective ones of the two or more first recesses (11a) of the first side support (ii); wherein the first robot unit (111) and / or the second robot unit (112) comprises two or more second gripper elements configured to be moved through respective ones of the two or more second recesses (12a) of the second side support (12); wherein the first gripper elements and the second gripper elements are configured to clamp the accumulated stack (2c) of value documents located within the collecting area (20) between the first gripper elements and the secondgripper elements in order to remove the accumulated stack (2c) of value documents from the collecting area (20).

14. A method for aligning and accumulating stacks (2, 2a, 2b) of value documents using a device, in particular using a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising: inserting a first stack (2a) of value documents into an alignment area (10) of the device (S10); aligning the value documents of the first stack (2a) of value documents with respect to each other within the alignment area (10, S20); clamping the first stack (2a) of value documents between a first side support (11) and a second side support (12) of the device (S30); using the first side support (11) to move the first stack (2a) of value documents clamped between the first side support (11) and the second side support (12) into a collecting area (20, S40); retaining the first stack (2a) of value documents moved into the collecting area (20) using a retaining unit (14) of the device, wherein the retaining unit (14) is configured to be arranged between the alignment area (10) and the collecting area (20, S50); moving the first side support (11) back into the alignment area (10, S60).

15. A method for aligning and accumulating stacks (2, 2a, 2b) of value documents, in particular using an arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, the method comprising: removing a first stack (2a) of value documents from a value document processing device (110) using a first robot unit (111) and inserting the first stack (2a) of value documents into a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 using the first robot unit (111, S110);aligning the first stack (2a) of value documents within the alignment area (10, S120); moving the first stack (2a) of value documents from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20, S130); removing at least one second stack (2b) of value documents from the value document processing device (110) using the first robot unit (111) and inserting the at least one second stack (2b) of value documents into the device (1 / S140); aligning the at least one second stack (2b) of value documents within the alignment area (10, S150); moving the at least one second stack (2b) of value documents from the alignment area (10) into the collecting area (20, S160); accumulating the first stack (2a) of value documents and the at least one second stack (2b) of value documents in the collecting area (20) in order to provide an accumulated stack (2c) of value documents that comprises the value documents of the first stack (2a) and the value documents of the at least one second stack (2b S170); removing the accumulated stack (2c) of value documents from the collecting area (20) by the first robot unit (111) or by a second robot unit (112, S180).

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