DESCRIPTION
PAPER-SHEET-BINDING DEVICE
5 TECHNICAL FIELD
[000 1] The present disclosure relates to a paper sheet bundling apparatus which bundles
stacked paper sheets with a tape.
BACKGROUND ART
10. [0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bundling apparatus which bundles paper sheets with
a tape. In this bundling apparatus, banknotes are stacked in a stacking unit, and the stacked
banknotes are transported to, and bundled in, a bundling unit. Then, a seal is stamped on the
tape by a stamping unit while the bundled banknotes are being transpmted to a dispense unit.
15 CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENT
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 4619740
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
20 TECI·INICAL PROBLEM
[0004] However, in the configuration in which the seal is stamped on the tape during the
transportation of the bundled banknotes as in the bundling apparatus disclosed by Patent
Document 1, the position of the tape needs to be detected before stamping the seal on it.
Thus, it is necessary to position the bundled banknotes and/or detect the tape, for example,
25 during the transportation, which makes the stamping work complicated.
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[0005] In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present disclosure to stamp
a seal easily and accurately on a tape that bundles the paper sheets together.
SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
5 [0006] The present disclosure is directed to a paper sheet bundling apparatus configured to
bundle stacked paper sheets with a tape. The paper sheet bundling apparatus includes: a
clamp configured to compress the stacked paper sheets from both of two sides of the stacked
paper sheets in a stacking direction thereof; a bundling unit configured to bundle, with the
tape, the paper sheets being compressed by the clamp; and a stamper configured to stamp a
10 seal on the tape. The stamper stamps the seal on the tape that has been wound around the
paper sheets, while the clamp is compressing the paper sheets.
[0007] According to this configuration, the clamp compresses the paper sheets when the
paper sheets are being bundled together. Thus, the position of the paper sheets has already
been determined. Since the tape is wound around the paper sheets thus positioned, the
15 position of the tape has already been roughly determined, too. That is, when the paper
sheets being compressed by the clamp are bundled, the position of the tape is already known.
Thus, if the stamping is performed at this timing, the seal may· be· stamped easily and
accurately on the tape.
[0008] In one embodiment, the stamper may stamp the seal from the stacking direction.
20 [0009] In this case, the seal is stamped from the compressing direction of the paper sheets.
[0010] In another embodiment, the paper sheet bundling apparatus may include:.a bonding
unit configured to bond together portions of the tape wound around the paper sheets; and a
cutting unit configured to cut the tape at its portion not wound around the paper sheets. The
bonding unit and the cutting unit may be arranged on one of the two sides of the paper sheets
25 in the stacking direction, and the stamper may be arranged on the other side of the paper
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sheets in the stacking direction.
[00 11] According to this configuration, the bonding and cutting units and the stamper are
arranged on the respective sides of the paper sheets in the stacking direction. This ensures
reliably a space for arranging the bonding and cutting units and a space for arranging the
5 stamper.
[00 12] In yet ai10ther embodiment, the paper sheet bundling apparatus may include: a
bonding unit configured to bond together portions of the tape wound around the paper sheets;
and a cutting unit configured to cut the tape at its pmtion not wound around the paper sheets.
Stamping is performed by the stamper at least partially in parallel with bonding by the
10 bonding unit and/or cutting by the cutting unit.
[0013] Acco\'ding to this configuration, the time it takes to complete the entire bundling
process including the stamping, the bonding and the cutting is reducible.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the stamper may stamp the seal from a direction
orthogonal to the stacking direction.
15 [0015] In yet another embodiment, the paper sheet bundling apparatus may include: a
guide having a pair of sidewalls which regulates the position of the tape in a tape width
direction when the tape is wound around the paper sheets. The stamper may be arranged
between the pair of sidewalls.
[0016] According to this configuration, the tape is wound around the paper sheets with its
20 position regulated by the guide in the tape width direction. Fmther, the stamper is arranged
between the pair of sidewalls of the guide which regulates the position of the tape in the tape
width direction. Thus, the guide regulates the position of the tape in the tape width
direction so that the tape's position corresponds substantially with the position of the seal
stamped by the stamper. This allows stamping of the seal on the tape at a correct position
25 so as to prevent any portion of the seal from rum1ing off the edges of the tape.
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[0017] In yet another embodiment, the paper sheet bundling apparatus may include: a
printer configured to print a character on the tape. The stamper and the printer may be
arranged such that the seal stamped by the stamper is shifted in the tape width direction
from, and does not overlap with, the character printed by the printer.
5 [00 18] According to this configuration, the position of the seal stamped on the tape by the
stamper is determined accurately. This allows determination of the position of the seal
stamped by the stamper such that the seal stamped by the stamper is shifted in the tape width
direction from, and does not overlap with, the character printed by the printer.
[0019] In yet another embodiment, the bundling unit may include a tape loop forming unit
I 0 configured to form a tape loop from the tape and rewind the tape after the paper sheets have
been put Jnto the tape loop to wind the tape around the paper sheets. The tape loop forming
unit may include a feeder configured to feed the tape in forming the tape loop and may form
the tape loop under the feeder.
[0020] According to this configuration, the tape loop expands downward from the feeder,
15 and is formed under the feeder finally. If the tape loop expands upward, a portion of the tape
loop may sag downward due to the tape's own weight during the formation of the tape loop,
because the tape is flexible. On the other hand, if the tape loop is configured to expand
downward, the tape loop does not sag easily during the formation of the tape loop. That is to
say, the tape loop is formed easily.
20
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The paper sheet bundling apparatus allows stamping of a seal easily and accurately
on a tape bundling the paper sheets.
25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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5
10
15
20
[0022] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 ts a view illustrating the appearance of a banknote handling
apparatus.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a general configuration for the banknote handling
apparatus.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a general configuration for bundling stackers and a
bundling unit.
[FIG. 4] FIGS. 4(A) is a perspective view illustrating a tape gripping part in a
closed state, and FIG. 4(8) is a perspective view illustrating the tape gripping part in an open
state.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a tape loop forming unit.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a lower pmtion of the tape loop
forming unit as viewed obliquely from above.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of the tape loop
forming unit as viewed obliquely from below.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration for the
banknote handling apparatus.
[FIG. 9] FIGS. 9(A) and 9(8) illustrate a banknote compression process performed
in a bundling stacker, wherein FIG. 9(A) illustrates a state just after the banknotes have been
stacked, and FIG. 9(8) illustrates a state where the banknotes have just been compressed.
[FIG. 1 0] FIG. 10 illustrates a state where a second transport unit has removed the
banknotes from the bundling stacker.
[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a state where the second transport unit has transported
the banknotes to beside a tape loop.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 illustrates a state where a tape gripping part has gripped an end
25 portion ofthe tape.
5 GI4-124INI
[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 illustrates a state where the tape gripping part has started to
rotate while gripping the tape at the end portion thereof.
[FIG. 14] FIG. 14 illustrates a state where the tape gripping part has formed a small
tape loop.
5 [FIG. 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a state where a large tape loop has been formed.
[FIG. 16] FIGS. 16(A)-16(C) illustrate how the respective members operate while
the banknotes are transported into the large tape loop and gripped by the temporary gripping
unit as viewed in a thickness direction of the banknotes, wherein FIG. 16(A) illustrates a
state where the banknotes transported are about to reach the large tape loop, FIG. 16(B)
I 0 illustrates a state where the banknotes are transported into the large tape loop, and FIG.
16(C) illustrates a state where the banknotes are gripped by the tempormy gripping unit.
[FIG. 17] FIGS. 17(A)-17(C) illustrate how the respective members operate while
the banknotes are transpmted into the large tape loop and gripped by the temporary gripping
unit as viewed in a direction parallel to shorter edges of the banknotes, wherein FIG. 17(A)
15 illustrates a state where the banknotes transported are about to reach the large tape loop, FIG.
17(B) illustrates a state where the banknotes are transported into the large tape loop, and
. FIG. 17(C) illustrates a state where the banknotes are gripped by the temporary gripping unit.
[FIG. 18] FIGS. 18(A)-18(C) illustrate how the respective members operate while
the banknotes are gripped again by the gripper and the tape is wound around the banknotes
20 as viewed in a thickness direction of the banknotes, wherein FIG. 18(A) illustrates a state
where the gripper grips the banknotes again, FIG. 18(B) illustrates a state where a clamp
presses the banknotes, and FIG. 18(C) illustrates a state where the tape is wound around the
banknotes.
[FIG. 19] FIGS. 19(A)-19(C) illustrate how the respective members operate while
25 the banknotes are gripped again by the gripper and the tape is wound around the banknotes
6 Gl4-124INI
5
as viewed in a direction parallel to shmter edges of the banknotes, wherein FIG. 19(A)
illustrates a state where the banknotes are gripped again by the gripper, FIG. 19(B) illustrates
a state where the banknotes are pressed by a clamp, and FIG. 19(C) illustrates a state where
the tape is wound around the banknotes.
[FIG. 20] FIG. 20 illustrates a state of a guide when the clamp presses the
banknotes.
[FIG. 21] FIGS. 2l(A) and 21(B) illustrate how the tape is bonded and cut, and a
seal is stamped on the tape, wherein FIG. 21 (A) illustrates a state where first and second
pressers press the tape, and FIG. 21(B) illustrates a state where a heater heat-seals the tape
1 0 and a cutter cuts the tape.
[FIG. 22] FIGS. 22(A)-22(C) illustrate how the respective members operate while
the bundled banknotes are dispensed to a dispense unit as viewed in the thickness direction
of the banknotes, wherein FIG. 22(A) illustrates a state where the bundled banknotes are
removed in a second horizontal direction, FIG. 22(B) illustrates a state where a third
15 transport unit grips the bundled banknotes, and FIG. 22(C) illustrates a state where the third
transport unit transports the bundled banknotes to the dispense unit.
[FIG. 23] FIGS. 23(A) and 23(B) illustrate how the respective members operate
while the bundled banknotes are dispensed to the dispense unit as viewed in a direction
parallel to shorter edges of the banknotes, wherein FIG. 23(A) illustrates a state where the
20 bundled banknotes are removed in the second horizontal direction, and FIG. 23(B) illustrates
a state where the third transport unit grips the bundled banknotes.
[FIG. 24] FIG. 24 illustrates positions in the banknote handling apparatus for
detecting whether work is necessary or not.
[FIG. 25] FIGS. 25(A) and 25(B) illustrate how the respective members operate in
25 another embodiment while the banknotes are transported into the large tape loop and gripped
7 GI4-124INI
5
by the temporary gripping unit, and then gripped again by the gnpper as viewed in a
thickness direction of the banknotes, wherein FIG. 25(A) illustrate~ a state where the
banknotes are transported into the large tape loop, and FIG. 25(B) illustrates a state where
the gripper grips the banknotes again.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
FIG,. 1 illustrates the appearance of a banknote handling apparatus I 00, and FIG. 2
10 illustrates a general configuration for the banknote handling apparatus 100.
[0025] The banknote handling apparatus I 00 is placed on a teller counter of a bank, for
example, and is used by an operator. The banknote handling apparatus 1 00 takes loose
banknotes therein, stacks the banknotes of a predetermined kind, bundles the banknotes in a
predetermined bundling number, and dispenses the bundled banknotes.
15 [0026] The banknote handling apparatus 100 includes a hopper unit 2 which takes the
banknotes placed thereon into the apparatus, a recognition unit 3 which recognizes the
banknotes, bundling stackers 4 which stack the banknotes to be bundled, non-bundling
stackers 5 which stack the banknotes not to be bundled, a reject stacker 6 which stacks
rejected banknotes, a first transport unit 7 which transports the banknotes taken in through the
20 hopper unit 2 to the recognition unit 3, the bundling stackers 4, the non-bundling stackers 5,
and the reject stacker 6, a second transpmt unit 8 which transports the banknotes stacked in
the bundling stackers 4 to the predetermined position, a bundling unit 9 which bundles the
banknotes transported by the second transport unit 8, a third transport unit 10 which transpmts
the banknotes that have been bundled (hereinafter referred to as "bundled banknotes"), a
25 dispense unit II tlu·ough which the bundled banknotes are dispensed, and a box-shaped
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housing 12 which houses the recognition unit 3, the bundling stackers 4, the non-bundling
stackers 5, the reject stacker 6, the first transport unit 7, the second transport unit 8, the
bundling unit 9, and the third transport unit 10.
[0027] The housing 12 has a top surface 121, a bottom surface 122, and four side surfaces.
5 The housing 12 is a desktop type housing. That is to say, the bottom surface 122 of the.
housing 12 is not provided with casters or any other similar parts, and thus the housing 12 is
configured to be placed on the desk.
[0028] The hopper unit 2 and the dispense unit 11 are provided through a first side surface
123, which is one of the four side surfaces of the housing 12. First outlets 47 of the bundling
10 stackers 4 and second outlets 53 of the non-bundling stackers 5, which will be described in
detail later, are provided through a second side surface 124, which is another one of the four
side surfaces. The first and second side surfaces 123 and 124 are adjacent to each other.
[0029] The space inside the housing 12 is divided into a first handling section 126
configured to perform various kinds of handling processes for recognizing and sorting the
15 banknotes and a second handling section 127 configured to petform various kinds of handling
processes for bundling the banknotes to be bundled. The second handling section 127 is
provided above the first handling section 126. The first handling section 126 includes the
hopper unit 2, the recognition unit 3, the non-bundling stackers 5, and the reject stacker 6.
The second handling section 127 includes the bundling stackers 4, the second transport unit 8,
20 the bundling unit 9, and the third transport unit 10. Most of the first transport unit 7 is
included in the first handling section 126.
[0030] The bundling stackers 4 include two stackers, namely, a first bundling stacker 4A
and a second bundling stacker 4B. Both of the first and second bundling stackers 4A and 4B
stack the banknotes to be bundled. The banknotes stacked as those to be bundled are .
25 determined as appropriate. The banknotes to be bundled are banknotes of a predetermined
9 Gl4-124INI
kind. The predetermined kind is identified by denomination or the orientation of the
banknotes, or by determining whether the banknotes are fit or unfit, whether the banknotes are
facing up or down, or whether the banknotes are new or not, for example. In this example,
the banknotes to be bundled are fit banknotes of a predetermined denomination (e.g., 100
5 Chinese Yuan). In the following description, the banknotes which are recognized as normal
by the recognition unit 3 will be hereinafter referred to as "normal banknotes," the banknotes
which are not recognized as normal by the recognition unit 3 will be hereinafter referred to as
"abnormal banknotes," and the banknotes which are transported in an abnormal state, e.g.,
skewed or multi-fed, will be hereinafter referred to as "abnormally transported banknotes."
10 For example, one of the conditions for determining whether the banknotes are normal or not is
whether the serial numbers of the banknotes are distinguishable or not. However, the
normality of the banknotes may be checked based on a different condition, or an additional
condition may be applied to determine whether the banknotes are normal or not. The
banknotes which are determined as the normal banknotes but the destination of which (the
15 bundling stacker, the non-bundling stacker, or other stackers) is not designated will be
hereinafter referred to as "undesignated banknotes." Among the normal banknotes, those
which are not stained or torn significantly will be hereinafter refelTed to as "fit banknotes,"
and those which are stained or torn significantly will be hereinafter referred to as "unfit
banknotes." The bundling stacker 4 is an exemplary stacking unit.
20 [0031] The first and second bundling stackers 4A and 4B are arranged vertically, i.e., one .
on top of the other, in the second handling section 127. The first bundling stacker 4A is
positioned over the second bundling stacker 4B. The first and second bundling stackers 4A
and 4 B have the same configuration. When it is not necessary to distinguish the two
stackers from each other, they will be hereinafter referred to as "bundling stackers 4." A
25 detailed configuration of the bundling stackers 4 will be described later.
10 Gl4-1241NI
[0032] The non-bundling stackers 5 include two stackers, namely, a first non-bundling
stacker 5A and a second non-bundling stacker 5B. The first and second non-bundling
stackers 5A and 5B are arranged substantially horizontally, i.e., side by side, in the first
handling section 126. The second non-bundling stacker 5B is arranged closer to the hopper
5 unit 2 than the first non-bundling stacker 5A is. When it is not necessary to distinguish the
two stackers from each other, they will be hereinafter referred to as "non-bundling stackers
5." A detailed configuration of the non-bundling stackers 5 will be described later. The
banknotes to be stacked in the non-bundling stackers 5 may be determined as appropriate.
Here, the first 'non-bundling stacker 5A stacks unfit banknotes of the predetermined
10 denomination. The second non-bundling stacker 5B stacks banknotes of eveiy denomination
but the predetermined denomination.
[0033] The reject stacker 6 stacks the rejected banknotes. The reject stacker 6 is
positioned closer to the hopper unit 2 than the first and second non-bundling stackers 5A and
5B are. The reject stacker 6 is positioned at a level slightly higher than the first and second
15 non-bundling stackers 5A and 5B. A detailed configuration of the reject stacker 6 will be
described later. The banknotes to be stacked in the reject stacker 6 may be determined as
appropriate. Here, the reject stacker 6 stacks "undesignated banknotes," "abnormal
banknotes," and "abnormally transported banknotes" as the rejected banknotes.
[0034] The hopper unit 2 is provided for a p01iion of the first side surface 123
20 corresponding to the first handling section 126, and the dispense unit 11 is provided in a
portion of the first side surface 123 corresponding to the second handling section 127.
[0035] The hopper unit 2 includes a mount 21 on which banknotes are placed, two guides
22, 22 which guide the banknotes placed on the mount 21, intake rollers 23, an inlet 24
through which the banknotes are taken in, and a banknote sensor 25 which detects the
25 banknotes on the mount 21. In the present embodiment, the banknotes are placed on the
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hopper unit 2 such that the banknotes are taken in in a direction parallel to their shmter edges.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet 24 is arranged at a corner where the mount 21 and the
first side surface 123 intersect with each other. The mount 21 is tilted such that the closer to
the inlet 24, the lower the level of the mount 21. Thus, the banknotes on the mount 21 go
5 toward the inlet 24 by themselves. The banknotes placed on the mount 21 are taken into the
housing 12 through the inlet 24.
[0037] The banknote sensor 25 is provided near the inlet 24. The banknote sensor 25
includes a transmitter which emits light and a receiver which receives the light, and detects
the banknotes when the light emitted from the transmitter toward the receiver is blocked.
10 First and second banknote sensors 45 and 46, stacking sensors 52 and 62, tracking sensors 74,
and first, second, and third tape sensors 9210, .9211 and 926e to be described later are also
configured in the same manner. The banknote sensor 25 is arranged such that the light is
blocked by the banknotes placed on the mount 21. That is to say, the banknote sensor 25 can
detect that the banknotes are placed on the mount 21 when the light is blocked.
15 [0038] The guides 22, 22 are configured such that the interval between them is adjustable.
Specifically, the interval between the guides 22, 22 is adjusted according to the banknotes
placed on the mount 21.
[0039] The intake rollers 23 include kicker rollers 23a, feed rollers 23b, and gate rollers
23c. The kicker rollers 23a are pmtially exposed from the mount 21, and are in contact with
20 the lowermost one of the banknotes placed on the mount 21. The kicker rollers 23a feed the
lowermost one of the banknotes on the mount 21 to the inlet 24. Thus, the banknotes are
taken in through the inlet 24 one by one. The banknotes taken in tln·ough the inlet 24 are
distributed one by one by the feed rollers 23b and the gate rollers 23c into the housing 12.
The banknotes thus taken in are passed to the first transport unit 7.
25 [0040] The dispense unit 11 includes a dispense pmt 111 through which the bundled
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banknotes are dispensed. In the dispense unit 11, the bundled banknotes are dispensed
through the dispense port Ill in the direction parallel to their shorter edges.
[0041) The first transport unit 7 may be configured as a transport belt or any other suitable
member. The first transport unit 7 includes a main transport path 71, first to fourth diverged
5 paths 72a to 72d diverged from the main transport path 71, sorting mechanisms 73 provided at
junctions between the main transport path 71 and the diverged paths, and a plurality of
tracking sensors 74 which detect the passage of the banknotes. The first transpmt unit 7
transports the banknotes in the direction parallel to their shorter edges. The first transport
unit 7 is an exemplmy transport unit.
10 [0042] The main transpmt path 71 extends from the intake rollers 23 tlu·ough the first
bundling stacker 4A. The first diverged path 72a is the most upstream path in the main
transpmt path 71, and the second, third, and fourth diverged paths 72b, 72c and 72d are
arranged in this order downstream of the first diverged path 72a. When it is not necessary to
distinguish the first to fourth diverged paths 72a to 72d from each other, they will be
15 hereinafter referred to as "diverged paths 72." The first diverged path 7ia extends to reach
the reject stacker 6. The second diverged path 72b extends to reach the second non-bundling
stacker SB. The third diverged path 72c extends to reach the first non-bundling stacker SA.
The fourth diverged path 72d extends to reach the second bundling stacker 4B.
[0043] The sorting mechanisms 73 are driven by a solenoid (not shown). Each of the
20 sorting mechanisms 73 sorts the banknotes transported tlu·ough the main transport path 71
depending on whether they need to be diverged to an associated one of the diverged paths 72
or not. A tracking sensor 74 is provided upstream of each of the sorting mechanisms 73.
The tracking sensors 7 4 are configured in the same manner as the banknote sensor 25. That
is, the tracking sensors 74 can detect the passage of the banknotes if the reception of light by
25 the receiver of the tracking sensor 74 is temporarily interrupted and then resumed. In
13 GI4-1241Nl
guiding the banknotes to the diverged path 72; each sorting mechanism 73 is turned ON as
soon as the tracking sensor 74 immediately upstream thereof detects the passage of the
banknotes.
[0044] The recognition unit 3 is provided on the main transpmi path 71 upstream of the
5 first diverged path 72a. The recognition unit 3 is configured to recognize each of the
banknotes being transpmied in terms of their denomination, authentication, and fitness.
Specifically, the recognition unit 3 includes a line sensor 31 and a magnetic sensor 32, and
detects the feature of each banknote. The recognition unit 3 determines whether the feature
of the banknote thus detected corresponds with any of the features of the banknotes stored,
10 thereby making a determination about their denomination, authentication, and fitness.
[0045] The recognition unit 3 does not always include the line sensor and the magnetic
sensor, but may include any other suitable sensor such as an infrared sensor and an ultraviolet
sensor as long as_they can detect the features of the banknotes. The line sensor 31 also has
'
the function of optically reading the serial numbers printed on the banknotes. Note that a
15 control unit 120 to be described later may have all of the functions of the recognition unit 3
but the detecting function.
[0046] The bundling unit 9 bundles the stacked banknotes. As will be described in detail
later, the bundling unit 9 forms a tape loop L out of a tape, and rewinds the tape after the
banknotes have been transported into the tape loop L so that the banknotes are bundled with
20 the tape.
[0047] The second transport unit 8 grips the banknotes stacked in the bundling stacker 4 to
transpmi the banknotes into the tape loop L. The second transport unit 8 includes a gripper
81 which grips the banknotes, a first horizontal displacement mechanism which displaces the
gripper 81 in the horizontal direction parallel to the shorter edges of the banknotes (this
25 direction will be hereinafter referred to as a "first horizontal direction"), a second horizontal
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displacement mechanism which displaces the gripper 81 in the horizontal direction parallel to
the longer edges of the banknotcs (hereinafter referred to as a "second horizontal direction"),
and a vertical displacement mechanism which displaces the gripper 81 in the vertical
direction. The second transport unit 8 is an exemplary paper sheet transpmt unit.
5 [0048] The gripper 81 includes an upper arm 81a, a lower arm 81b facing the upper arm
81 a, and a gripping mechanism which displaces the upper arm 81 a in the vertical direction.
The upper arm 81 a includes three fingers extending parallel to each other and a coupling
pmtion which co.uples the three fingers together (see FIG. 16). Likewise, the lower arm 81b
also has tlu·ee fingers extending parallel to each other and a coupling portion which couples
10 the three fingers together. The gripping mechanism suppmts the upper ann 8la so that the
upper ann 81 a is movable in the vertical direction, and moves the upper arm 81 a in the
vertical direction using a motor and a drive belt. This configuration allows the upper and
lower arms 81 a and 81 b to grip the banknotes.
[0049] The first horizontal displacement mechanism supports the gripper 81 so that the
15 gripper 81 is movable in the first horizontal direction, and displaces the gripper 81 in the first
horizontal direction using the motor and the drive belt.
[0050] The vertical displacement mechanism supports the first horizontal displacement
mechanism so that the first horizontal displacement mechanism is movable in the vertical
direction, and displaces the first horizontal displacement mechanism in the vertical direction
20 using the motor and the drive belt.
[0051] The second horizontal displacement mechanism supports the vertical displacement
mechanism so that the vertical displacement mechanism is movable in the second horizontal
direction, and displaces the vertical displacement mechanism in the second horizontal
direction using the motor and the drive belt.
25 [0052] Thus, the gripper 81 is configured to be readily moved along tlu·ee mthogonal axes
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by the first and second horizontal displacement mechanisms and the vertical displacement
mechanism.
[0053] The third transport unit I 0 transports the bundled banknotes to the dispense unit 11.
The third transport unit I 0 includes an upper gripping part I 0 I, a lower gripping part 102, and
5 a horizontal displacement mechanism which displaces the upper and lower gripping parts 101
and 102 in the first horizontal direction. In displacing the upper gripping part 101 in the first
horizontal direction, the horizontal displacement mechanism displaces the upper gripping pmi
101 in the vertical direction, too. That is, the third transport unit 10 is configured to pass
beside the bundling unit 9 in the first horizontal direction. When the third transport unit I 0
10 is positioned opposite to the dispense unit II relative to the bundling unit 9, the upper
gripping part 101 is positioned over, and sufficiently distant from, the lower gripping part 102.
The upper gripping part 101 moves downward from this position as it approaches the bundled
banknotes in the bundling unit 9. Then, when the upper gripping part 101 reaches the
bundled banknotes, the bundled banknotes are gripped by the upper and lower gripping pmis
15 I 0 I and I 02. The upper and lower gripping parts 101 and 102 transport the bundled
banknotes to the vicinity of the dispense unit 11 while gripping them. In the vicinity of the
dispense unit II, the upp~r gripping part 101 moves upward as it approaches the dispense unit
11. As a result, the bundled banknotes gripped by the upper and lower gripping pmts 101
and I 02 are released from the upper and lower gripping pmts 101 and 102 at the dispense unit
20 11, and are dispensed to the dispense unit 11.
[0054] On the second side surface 124 of the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 1, a touch panel
17 is provided to serve as an operating unit through which information is entered into the
banknote handling appm·atus 100 and as a display unit which displays information about the
banknote handling apparatus I 00. The touch panel17 is a human interface for the operator
25 who operates this banknote handling apparatus I 00.
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[0055]
FIG. 3 illustrates a general configuration for the bundling stackers 4 and the
bundling unit 9.
[0056] The bundling stackers 4 pile and stack banknotes B. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, each
5 of the bundling stackers 4 includes a container 40 in which the banknotes B are stacked, a
stage 41 arranged in the container 40 to carry the banknotes B thereon, a stacking wheel 42
which brings the transported banknotes B into the container 40, a door 43 which opens/closes
the first outlet 47 to be described later, a top plate 44 which determines a ceiling of the
container 40, a first banknote sensor 45 which detects the banknotes B in the container 40,
I 0 and a second banknote sensor 46 which detects the banknotes B of a predetermined height in
the container 40.
[0057] The container 40 has a front wall 40a which is located in fi·ont in the transport
direction of the banknotes B and is configured to be movable forward and backward in the
transport direction. The position of the fi·ont wall 40a is adjusted according to the dimension
15 of the shorter edges of the banknotes B specified as those to be bundled. In patticular, the
front wall 40a is arranged such that the banknotes B brought into the container 40 collide
against the front wall 40a and fall as they are to the bottom of the container 40 so as to be
stacked there in contact with the front wall 40a. The fi·ont wall 40a is also configured to
open/close in the vertical direction. The front wall 40a opens when the stacked banknotes B
20 are transported by the second transport unit 8.
[0058] The stage 41 is configured to be movable in the ve1tical direction. For example,
the stage 41 moves in the ve11ical direction in accordance with the amount of the banknotes B
stacked.
[0059] The container 40 has an opening through the second side surface 124 of the housing
25 12. That is, the first outlet 47 through which the banknotes B stacked in the bundling
17 G14-124INI
stackers 4 are removed out of the housing I2 is provided through the second side surface 124
as shown in FIG. I.
[0060] The door 43 is provided for each of the bundling stackers 4. The door 43 is
configured to be rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis to change between an open
5 state where the first outlet 47 is opened and a closed state where the first outlet 47 is closed,
and is opened/closed manually. The door 43 is made of a material which allows visual
check of the inside of the bundling stacker from outside. For example, the door 43 may be
made of a transparent or translucent material (e.g., glass or a resin).
[0061] The stacking wheel 42 includes a plurality of flexible blades, and has the function
I 0 of tapping the banknotes B falling into the container 40 on their rear edges in the transpmt
direction so as to help the banknotes B fall. Even when the banknotes B are brought into the
container 40 successively, each ofthe banknotes B is prevented from being inserted below the
rear edge of the preceding banknote B, and thus the banknotes B can be sequentially stacked
one by one on top of the previously stacked ones.
15 [0062] Two or more banknote sensors 45 are provided for each of the bundling stackers 4.
In the present embodiment, two banknote sensors 45 are provided in the container 40 at
different positions in the transport direction of the banknotes B. The first banknote sensor
45 is configured in the same manner as the banknote sensor 25. Each of the banknote
sensors 45 is arranged to project light in the stacking direction of the bankriotes B in the
20 container 40. That is to say, the banknote sensor 45 can detect the presence of the banknotes
B in the container 40 when the light is blocked. The provision of the two banknote sensors
45 at the different positions in the transpmt direction enables any one of the banknote sensors
45 to detect the presence ofthe·banknotes Beven when the positions of the banknotes B vary
in the transport direction in the container 40. Note that two or more banknote sensors 45
25 may be provided at different positions in the direction orthogonal to both of the transpmt and
18 GI4-124INI
thickness directions of the banknotes B (the direction coming out of the paper of FIG. 2).
[0063] The second banknote sensor 46 is configured to detect the banknotes B located at a
predetermined height in the container 40. The second banknote sensor 46 is configured in
the same manner as the banknote sensor 25. The second banknote sensor 46 is arranged
5 such that light emitted from the transmitter to the receiver is blocked by the banknotes B
when the banknotes B are present at a level higher than the predetermined height, and that the
light emitted from the transmitter is received by the receiver when the banknotes B are not
present at the level higher than the predetermined height.
[0064]
10 Since the first and second non-bundling stackers SA and 5B have the same
configuration, they are not distinguished from each other in the following description, and
will be hereinafter collectively referred to as "non-bundling stackers 5".
[0065] The non-bundling stackers 5 pile and stack the banknotes. As shown in FIG. 2,
each of the non-bundling stackers 5 includes a container 50 in which the banknotes are
15 stacked, a stacking wheel 51 which brings the transported bank:notes into the container 50,
and a stacking sensor 52 which detects the presence of the banknotes.
[0066] The container 50 of each of the non-bundling stackers 5 has a tilted bottom. Thus,
the banknotes brought into the container 50 are collected to the lower end of the bottom.
[0067] The stacking sensor 52 is provided at the lower end of the bottom of the container
20 50. The stacking sensor 52 is configured in the same manner as the banknote sensor 25, and
detects the banknotes in the container 50 when the light is blocked. The stacking sensor 52
is arranged such that the light is blocked by the banknotes in the container 50.
[0068] The stacking wheel 51 includes a plurality of blades, and catches the transported
banknotes between the blades to bring them into the container 50. The banknotes are
25 released from the blades of the stacking wheel 51 near the bottom of the container 50, and are
19 G14-1241Nl
stacked in the container 50.
[0069] The container 50 has openings till'ough the second side surface 124 of the housing
12. That is to say, the second side surface 124 is provided with second outlets 53 through
which the banknotes stacked in the non-bundling stackers 5 are removed out of the housing
5 12. The second outlets 53 have no door, and are kept opened. The second outlets 53 of the
first and second non-bundling stackers SA and 5B are opened tlll'ough the second side surface
124 and are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.
[0070] Each of the non-bundling stackers 5 is provided with a pushing mechanism 54
which pushes the stacked banknotes toward the second outlet 53. The pushing mechanism
10 54 is provided at the horizontal depth of the container 50 (opposite from the second outlet 53),
and is configured to push the banknotes from the horizontal depth to the front (toward the
second outlet 53).
[0071]
The reject stacker 6 piles and stacks the banknotes. The reject stacker 6 includes,
15 as shown in FIG. 2, a container 60 in which the banknotes are stacked, a stacking wheel 61
which brings the transported banknotes into the container 60, a stacking sens6r 62 which
detects the presence of the banknotes, and stoppers 64, 64 which prevent the banknotes in the
container 60 from being ejected outside.
[0072] Specifically, the container 60 of the reject stacker 6 has an opening through the first
20 side surface 123 of the housing 12. That is, a reject outlet 63 tlll'ough which the banknotes
stacked in the reject stacker 6 are removed out of the housing 12 is provided through the first.
side surface 123. The reject outlet 63 is opened tlll'ough the first side surface 123 to be
positioned above the inlet 24. The reject outlet 63 has no door and is kept opened.
[0073] The bottom of the container 60 is tilted such that the more distant from the first side
25 surface 123, the lower the level of the bottom. Thus, the banknotes in the container 60 are
20 G 14-1241Nl
H
'
stacked deep inside the first side surface 123. Thus, the banknotes are prevented fi·om being
ejected outside through the reject outlet 63 of the first side surface 123 when they are brought
into the container 60.
[0074] The two stoppers 64, 64 are provided at one edge of the bottom of the container 60
5 closer to the first side surface 113. The stoppers 64 are supported to be rotatable around an
axis extending parallel to the edge of the bottom closer to the first side surface 123, and are
biased by bias springs (not shown) to stand up on the bottom of the container 60. :rhese
stoppers 64, 64 can also prevent the banknotes in the container 60 from being ejected outside
through the reject outlet 63 of the first side surface 123. Note that in removing the
10 banknotes stacked in the reject stacker 6 through the reject outlet 63, the stoppers 64, 64 need
to be pressed down against the elastic force ofthe bias springs.
[0075] The stacking wheel 61 includes a plurality of flexible blades, and has the function
of tapping the banknotes falling into the container 60 on their rear edges in the transport
direction so as to help the banknotes fall. Even when the banknotes are brought into the
15 container 60 successively, each of the banknotes is prevented from being inserted below the
rear edge of the preceding banknote, and thus the banknotes can be sequentially stacked one
by one on top of the previously stacked ones.
[0076] The stacking sensor 62 is configured in the same manner as the banknote sensor 25,
and detects the banknotes in the container 60 when the light is blocked. The stacking sensor
20 62 is arranged such that the light is blocked by the banknotes in the container 60.
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 3, the bundling unit 9 includes a tape feeding unit 91 which feeds
a tape T, a tape loop forming unit 92 which forms a tape loop L fi·om the tape T, a temporary
gripping unit 93 which temporarily grips the banknotes B transpmted into the tape loop L by
25 the second transport unit 8 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), a clamp 94 which presses the banknotes Bin
21 Gl4-124INI
the stacking direction when the banknotes B are bundled together with the tape T, a heater 95
which heat-seals portions of the tape T wound around the banknotes B, a cutter 96 which cuts
the tape T at a portion not wound around the banknotes B, a printer 97 which prints characters
on the tape T, and a stamper 98 which stamps a seal on the tape T.
5 [0078] The tape feeding unit 91 includes a tape reel 911 around which the tape Tis wound,
and a tape transporter 912 which transpmts the tape T drawn from the tape reel 911. The
tape transporter 912 transports the tape T along a predetermined transpmt path. The tape
transporter 912 has a guide (not shown) and multiple pairs of rollers.
[0079] The tape loop forming unit 92 forms a tape loop L from the tape T, and rewinds the
1 0 tape T after the stacked banknotes B are arranged in the tape loop L to wind the tape T around
the banknotes B. The tape loop forming unit 92 includes a pair of feed rollers 920 which
feeds and rewinds the tape T, a tape gripping part 921 which grips an end portion of the tape
T, a guide 925 which defines the shape of the tape loop L being formed from the tape T, a first
tape sensor 9210 which detects the end portion of the tape T, and a second tape sensor 9211
15 which detects that a large tape loop L2 has been formed. The tape loop forming unit 92 has
a small tape loop L1 formed fium the tape T by the tape gripping part 921, and then has the
tape T fed by the pair of feed rollers 920 to enlarge the small tape loop L1 into a large tape
loop L2. In the meantime, the guide 925 guides the tape T to define the shape of the large
tape loop L2, and the second tape sensor 9211 detects that the large tape loop L2 has been
20 formed.
[0080] The pair of feed rollers 920 is driven by a stepping motor, feeds the tape T in
forming the tape loop L, and rewinds the tape T to wind the tape T around the J:mnknotes B
after the banknotes B have been put into the tape loop L. The pair of feed rollers 920 is
located at the downstream end of the tape transporter 912, and forms part ,of the tape
25 transporter 912. The pair of feed rollers 920 is an exemplary feeder. A pair of rollers of
22 G14-124INI
the tape transporter 912 is also driven by the motor of the pair of feed rollers 920 through a
belt, a gear, or any other suitable mechanism.
[0081] The first tape sensor 9210 is provided on the transport path of the tape T between
the pair of feed rollers 920 and the tape gripping part 921. The first tape sensor 9210 is
5 configured in the same manner as the banknote sensor 25. The first tape sensor 9210 detects
the tape T when the light is cut off. For example, the first tape sensor 9210 may detect the
end p01tion of the tape T when the light that has been cut off stmts being received again by the
first tape sensor 9210 as the pair of feed rollers 920 rewinds the tape T.
[0082] The tape gripping part 921 is atTanged at a position where the tape gripping part 921
10 can receive the tape T fed from the pair of feed rollers 920. The tape gripping part 921 is
configured to be able to grip the tape T and rotatable while gripping the tape T. The tape
gripping part 921 rotates while gripping, at the end p01tion thereof, the tape T fed fi·om the
pair of feed rollers 920, thereby forming the tape loop L.
[0083] FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are perspective views illustrating the tape gripping part 921.·
15 FIG. 4(A) shows the tape gripping part 921 in a closed state, while FIG. 4(B) shows the tape
gripping part 921 in an open state. More specifically, the tape gripping part 921 includes a
base 922, a movable part 923, and a rotating shaft 924. The base 922 includes a flat base
plate 922a and a base block 922b which forms an integral part of the base plate 922a. The
base plate 922a is provided with first and second recessed grooves 922c and 922d extending
20 parallel to each other. The first and second recessed grooves 922c and 922d extend in a tape
width direction. The rotating shaft 924 is rotatably inserted tlu·ough the base block 922b.
The rotating shaft 924 extends in the tape width direction, and is driven in rotation by a
motor. The movable part 923 is arranged to face the base plate 922a, and is fixed to an end
of the rotating shaft 924 to be non-rotatable about the rotating shaft 924. The movable part
25 923 is driven in rotation via the rotating shaft 924. The movable pmt 923 includes a fitting
23 G14-1241Nl
923a attached to the end of the rotating shaft 924, a pressing pa1t 923b provided on the fitting
923a to be eccentric to the rotating shaft 924 and to extend parallel to the rotating shaft 924
(i.e., in the tape width direction), and first and second guides 923c and 923d provided at both
ends of the pressing part 923b, respectively. The first guide 923c forms a guide groove 923e
5 between itself and the fitting 923a.
[0084] If the rotating shaft 924 rotates in one direction about its axis, the movable part 923
overlaps with the base plate 922a as shown in FIG. 4(A). This state will be hereinafter
referred to as a "closed state" of the tape gripping pa1t 921. On the other hand, if the
rotating shaft 924 rotates in the other direction about the axis, a gap is formed between the
10 movable part 923 and the base plate 922a as shown in FIG. 4(B). This state will be
hereinafter referred to as an "open state" of the tape gripping part 921. When the tape
gripping part 921 is in the open state, the tape T is inse1table between the movable part 923
and the base plate 922a. Then, the tape gripping part 921 is turned into the closed state to
grip the tape T between the movable part 923 and the base plate 922a. The movable part
15 923 is configured to be lockable onto the base plate 922 while overlapping with the base plate
922a, i.e., in the closed state. Once the movable part 923 is locked, the movable part 923
and the base 922 can no longer rotate relative to each other, and thus the movable part 923
and the base plate 922a are kept overlapped with each other. If the rotating shaft 924 rotates
, with the movable part 923 locked, the tape gripping part 921 rotates about the rotating shaft
20 924 with the tape T sandwiched by the base plate 922a and the movable pmt 923.
[0085] While the tape gripping part 921 is in the closed state, the pressing part 923b of the
movable part 923 overlaps with a portion of the base plate 922a adjacent to the second
recessed groove 922d. That is, the second recessed groove 922d is exposed beside the
pressing part 923b. In this state, the first and second guides 923c and 923d extend
25 perpendicularly to the base plate 922a. Likewise, the guide groove 923e also extends
24 Gl4-124INI
perpendicularly to the base plate 922a.
[0086] In forming the large tape loop L2, the guide 925 comes into contact with an outer
peripheral surface of the large tape loop L2 to define the shape of the large tape loop L2.
The guide 925 defines the shape of the large tape loop L2 to be a generally rectangular shape,
5 more specifically, a rectangular shape having rounded corners.
[0087] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the tape loop forming unit 92. The guide
925 includes a lower guide 926 which comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of
the large tape loop L2 from under the large tape loop L2, first and second lateral guides 927
and 928 which come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the large tape loop L2
10 horizontally, and four corner guides, namely, first to fourth corner guides 929a to 929d, which
correspond to the four corners of the rectangle.
[0088] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower p011ion of the tape loop forming unit 92 as
viewed obliquely from above. The lower guide 926 has a pair of sidewalls 926a, 926a which
regulates the position of the tape T in the tape width direction and a bottom wall 926b, and
15 thus has the shape of a groove. The bottom wall 926b is broader than the width of the tape.
The pair of sidewalls 926a, 926a are inclined such that the groove increases its width toward
the opening end of the groove from the bottom wall 926b (i.e., upward from the bottom wall
926b ). The bottom wall 926b is provided with a plurality of rollers 926c, 926c, ... to
improve slidability of the tape T. The bottom wall 926b has a through hole 926d through
20 which a stamp 981 of the stamper 98 (to be described later) passes.
[0089] The first and second corner guides 929a and 929b are respectively provided at the
longitudinal ends of the bottom wall 926b. The first corner guide 929a curves the tape T
located at the corner formed by the lower guide 926 and the first lateral guide 927. The
second corner guide 929b curves the tape T located at the corner formed by the lower guide
25 926 and the second lateral guide 928 (not shown in FIG. 6). Each of the first and second
25 Gl4-124INI
corner guides 929a and 929b is made up of two plates. Each of the two plates has an edge
curved in a concave shape, and the two plates are provided to stand upright on the bottom wall
926b and face each other.
[0090] The lower guide 926 is provided with a third tape sensor 926e which detects the
5 tape T that has fallen on the lower guide 926. More specifically, the third tape sensor 926e
is configured in the same manner as the banknote sensor 25, and detects the tape T when the
light emitted from the transmitter toward the receiver is cut off. The transmitter and receiver
of the third tape sensor 926e are respectively provided at the longitudinal ends of the bottom
wall 926b. The transmitter emits the light in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall
10 926b above the bottom wall 926b. The third tape sensor 926e is an exemplary fall detection
·sensor.
[0091] The lower guide 926 is provided with a displacement mechanism, and is configured
to be readily moved in the vertical direction by the displacement mechanism. The
displacement mechanism also functions as a displacement mechanism for lower clamps 943,
15 944 which will be described later. The displacement mechanism includes a motor, a disk
driven in rotation by the motor, a support which supports the lower guide 926 such that the
lower guide 926 is movable in the vertical direction, and a link which couples the disk and the
lower guide 926 together. The disk is provided with a cam groove. The link transfers the
rotation of the disk to the lower guide 926 in accordance with the shape of the cam groove.
20 The lower guide 926 moves up and down in accordance with the shape of the cam groove as
the disk is driven in rotation.
[0092] The first lateral guide 927 extends in the vertical direction at one of longitudinal
ends of the lower guide 926 closer to the bundling stacker 4 as shown in FIG. 5. The first
lateral guide 927 includes a sidewall 927a and a bottom wall 927b, and thus has the shape of a
25 groove. The sidewall 927a regulates the position of the tape T in ihe tape width direction.
26 Gl4-124INI
The bottom wall 927b is broader than the width of the tape. The bottom wall 927b is
provided with two slits through which the first corner guide 929a passes.
[0093] The second lateral guide 928 extends in the ve1iical direction at the other
longitudinal end of the lower guide 926 closer to the dispense unit 11. The second lateral
5 guide 928 is substantially in the shape of a flat plate, and does not have a portion
corresponding to the sidewall 927a of the first lateral guide 927. The second lateral guide
928 is supported to be movable up and down by the suppmi, and is coupled to the lower guide
926 thmugh the link. Thus, the second lateral guide 928 moves upward or downward as the
lower guide 926 moves upward or downward. Note that the magnitude of movement of the
10 second lateral guide 928 is amplified by the link. The second lateral guide 928 is configured
to retreat upward during the transpmi of the bundled banknotes B so as not to interfere with
the transport of the bundled banknotes B.
[0094] A third corner guide 929c and a fourth corner guide 929d are provided above the
first and second corner guides 929a and 929b at almost the same level as the tape gripping
15 pmi 921. The third corner guide 929c is arranged adjacent to the first lateral guide 927.
The third corner guide 929c has two plates. Each of the two plates has an edge curved in a
concave shape, and the two plates are provided to stand upright on the bottom wall 927b and.
face each other. The fourth corner guide 929d is arranged adjacent to the second lateral
guide 928. The fourth corner guide 929d is formed of a block having a surface curved in a
20 concave shape. When it is not necessary to distinguish the first to fomih corner guides 929a
to 929d from each other, they may be hereinafter referred to as "corner guides 929"
collectively.
[0095] The second tape sensor 9211 is configured in the same manner as the banknote
sensor 25, and detects the tape T when the light is cut off. The receiver of the second tape
25 sensor 9211 is attached to the fomih corner guide 929d as shown in FIG. 5. The transmitter
27 G14-124INI
of the second tape sensor 9211 is arranged such that the light emitted from the transmitter is
cut off by the tape T guided along the fourth corner guide 929d. That is, the second tape
sensor 9211 detects that the fourth corner guide 929d is guiding the tape T, i.e., the tape loop
L has reached a predetermined size, when the light emitted from the transmitter is not
5 received by the receiver. The second tape sensor 9211 is an exemplary tape loop detection
sensor.
[0096] The temporary gripping unit 93 temporarily grips the banknotes B transported into
the tape loop L by the second transport unit 8. The temporary gripping unit 93 is arranged
opposite to the second transp01t unit 8 relative to the tape loop L in the second horizontal
I 0 direction, i.e., in the tape width direction. The temporary gripping unit 93 grips the
banknotes B at their portion opposite to the second transport unit 8 relative to the tape loop L.
The temporary gripping unit 93 includes an upper gripping patt 931, a lower gripping part
932, and a vertical displacement mechanism which displaces the upper and lower gripping
parts 931 and 932 in the vertical direction. The temporary gripping unit 93 grips the
15 banknotes B with the upper and lower gripping parts 931 and 932.
[0097] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an upper pmtion of the tape loop forming
unit 92 as viewed obliquely from below. The upper gripping patt 931 includes an upper
base plate 933, an upper movable plate 934, and first second abutting portions 931a, 93lb
provided for the upper movable plate 934. The first and second abutting portions 931a, 93lb
20 are arranged side by side in the direction parallel to the shorter edges of the banknotes B.
The first and second abutting portions 93la and 931 b are located at the same level. The base
plate 922a of the tape gripping part 921 is arranged between the first and second abutting
portions 931 a and 931 b. The upper movable plate 934 is supported by the upper base plate
933 such that the upper movable plate 934 is movable along the width of the tape T.
25 [0098] The lower gripping pmt 932 includes, as shown in FIG. 6, a lower base plate 935, a
28 GI4-124INI
lower movable plate 936, and first and second abutting pmtions 932a, 932b provided for the
lower movable plate 936. The first and second abutting pmtions 932a, 932b are arranged
side by side in the direction parallel to the shorter edges of the banknotes B. The first and
second abutting pmtions 932a and 932b are located at the same level. The first and second
5 abutting portions 932a, 932b respectively face the first and second abutting portions 931a,
931b of the upper gripping part 931. The lower movable plate 936 is supported by the lower
base plate 935 such that the lower movable plate 936 is movable along the width of the tape
T.
[0099] The vertical displacement mechanism includes a motor, a disk driven in rotation by
10 the motor, a suppmt which supports the upper and lower base plates 933 and 935 such that
these plates 933 and 935 are movable up and down, and a link which couples the disk to the
upper and lower base plates 933 and 935. The disk is provided with a cam groove. The
link transfers the rotation of the disk to the upper and lower base plates 933 and 935 in
accordance with the shape of the cam groove. The upper and lower base plates 933 and 935
15 move up and down in accordance with the shape of the cam groove as the disk is driven in
rotation. Thus, the upper and lower gripping parts 931 and 932 move away from, or
approaches, each other. The cam groove for the upper base plate 933 and the cam groove for
the lower base plate 935 have different shapes. Thus, the upper and lower gripping parts 931
and 932 do not move up and down to the same extent but move in mutually different ways.
20 [0 1 00] Note that the upper and lower movable plates 934 and 936 are configured to move
in the second horizontal direction synchronously with the movement of the second transport
unit 8 while the banknotes are being transported into the large tape loop L2.
[0101] Specifically, the upper movable plate 934 is supported not only by the upper base
plate 933, but also by a vertically extending shaft as well. Likewise, the lower movable
25 plate 936 is also supported not only by the lower base plate 935, but also by a vertically
29 Gl4-l24IN1
extending shaft as well. Since these shafts extend vertically, the upper and lower movable
plates 934 and 936 move up and down along the shafts as the upper and lower gripping parts
'
931 and 932 move up and down. Thus, the shafts do not interfere with the vertical
movement of the upper and lower gripping parts 931 and 932. These two shafts form
5 integral parts of a frame. The frame and the shafts are configured to be readily moved by a
displacement mechanism in the second horizontal direction. The frame and the shafts are
allowed by the displacement mechanism to move in the second horizontal direction
synchronously with the movement of the second transport unit 8 while the banknotes are being
transported into the large tape loop L2. That is to say, when the second transport unit 8
10 transpmts the banknotes into the large tape loop L2, the displacement mechanism moves the
frame in the second horizontal direction synclu·onously with the movement of the second
transport unit 8. As the frame moves in the second horizontal direction, the upper and lower
movable plates 934 and 936 supported by the- shafts of the frame also move in the second
horizontal direction.
15 [0102] In this manner, the positions of the first and second abutting pmtions 93la, 93lb of
the upper gripping patt 931 and the first and second abutting portions 932a, 932b of the lower
gripping part 932 in the second horizontal direction are changed according to the degree of
insertion of the banknotes into the large tape loop L2 by the second transpmt unit 8.
[0 103] The clamp 94 presses the banknotes B in the stacking direction when the banknotes
20 B are bundled together with the tape T. The clamp 94 presses the banknotes B around their
portion to be bundled with the tape T. The clamp 94 includes, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a
pair of upper clamps 941, 942 provided above the banknotes B transported into the tape loop
L, a pair of lower clamps 943, 944 provided below the banknotes B, and a displacement
mechanism which allows one of the upper clamps 942 and the lower clamps 943,944 to 1nove
25 up and down.
30 G14-124INI
[0104] The upper clamps 941, 942 are arranged on the respective sides ofthc tape Tin the
tape width direction. The upper clamp 941 located more distant from the second transport
unit 8 is fixed, and is not movable up or down. On the other hand, the upper clamp 942
located closer to the second transport unit 8 is configured to be movable up and down.
5 When it is necessaty to distinguish the upper clamps from each other, the former will be
hereinafter referred to as an "upper fixed clamp 941 ," and the latter will be hereinafter
referred to an "upper movable clamp 942."
[0105] The upper fixed clamp 941 includes first and second abutting pottions 94la, 94lb.
The first and second abutting portions 941a, 94lb are arranged side by side in the direction
10 parallel to the shmter edges of the banknotes B. The first and second abutting portions 941 a
and 941 b are located at the same level. The base plate 922a of the tape gripping part 921 is
ananged between the first and second abutting portions 941 a and 941 b. The base plate 922a
is located at a lower level than the first and second abutting portions 941 a, 941 b.
[0 I 06] On the other hand, the upper movable clamp 942 includes first to third abutting
15 portions 942a to 942c. The first to third abutting portions 942a to 942c are arranged side by
side in the direction parallel to the shorter edges of the banknotes B. The third abutting
pottion 942c is located between the first and second abutting portions 942a and 942b in the
direction parallel to the shorter edges of the banknotes B. The first and second abutting
pmtions 942a and 942b are located at the same level. The third abutting pottion 942c is
20 located at a lower level than the first and second abutting portions 942a and 942b. The
upper movable clamp 942 moves up and down between a clamp position where the first and
second abutting potiions 942a and 942b are level with the first and second abutting portions
941 a and 941 b of the upper fixed clamp 941, and a retreat position where the third abutting
portion 942c is at a higher level than the first and second abutting portions 94la and 94lb of
25 the upper fixed clamp 941. When the upper movable clamp 942 is at the clamp position, the
31 GI4-1241Nl
third abutting portion 942c is located at substantially the same level as the base plate 922a of
the tape gripping part 921.
[0107] The lower clamps 943, 944 are arranged on the respective sides of the tape Tin the
tape width direction. The lower clamp 94 3 located more distant from the second transport
5 unit 8 and the lower clamp 944 located closer to the second transport unit 8 are configured in
the same manner. The lower clamp 943 includes first and second abutting portions 943a,
943b. The first and second abutting portions 943a, 943b are arranged side by side in the
direction parallel to the shorter edges of the banknotes B. The first and second abutting
portions 943a and 943b are located at the same level. The first and second abutting portions
10 943a, 943b respectively face the first and second abutting portions 94la, 94lb of the upper
fixed clamp 941. The lower clamp 944 includes first and second abutting portions 944a,
944b. The first and second abutting pmtions 944a, 944b are arranged side by side in the
direction parallel to the shorter edges of the banknotes B. The first and second abutting
pmtions 944a and 944b are located at the same level, and also at the same level as the first
15 and second abutting portions 943a and 943b of the lower clamp 943. The first and second
abutting pmtions 944a, 944b respectively face the first and second abutting portions 942a,
942b of the upper movable clamp 942.
[0 108] The vettical displacement mechanism includes a motor, a disk driven in rotation by
the motor, a support which supports the upper movable clamp 942 and the lower clamps 943,
20 944 such that these clamps are movable up and down, and a link which couples the disk to the
upper movable clamp 942 and the lower clamps 943, 944. The disk is provided with a cam
groove. The link transfers the rotation of the disk to the upper movable clamp 942 and the
lower clamps 943, 944 in accordance with the shape of the cam groove. The upper movable
clamp 942 and the lower clamps 943, 944 move vertically in accordance with the shape of the
25 cam groove as the disk is driven in rotation. Thus, the lower clamps 943, 944 approaches, or
32 Gl4-l241Nl
move away fi·om, the upper clamps 941, 942, and the upper movable clamp 942 moves up and
down between the clamp position and the reti·eat position. Since the cam groove for the
upper movable clamp 942 and the cam groove for the lower clamps 943, 944 have different
shapes, the upper movable clamp 942 and the lower clamps 943, 944 do not move up and
5 down to the same extent, but move in mutually different ways. The motor also fimctions as
the motor for the displacement mechanism of the temporary gripping unit 93.
[0109] The lower clamps 943, 944 form integral pmts of the lower guide 926 of the guide
925. That is, the lower clamps 943, 944 and the lower guide 926 move up and down
altogether. In other words, the displacement mechanism which displaces the lower clamps
10 943, 944 in the vertical direction also function as the displacement mechanism for the lower
guide 926.
[0110] The heater 95 bonds together pmtions of the tape T wound around the banknotes B.
The heater 95 heat-seals such portions of the tape T. The heater 95 is an exemplmy bonding
unit.
15 [0111] The cutter 96 cuts a portion of the tape T not wound around the banknotes B, that is,
an extra portion of the tape T that has not been used to bundle the banknotes B together with
the tape T. The cutter 96 has a saw-toothed cutting edge at its end. The cutter 96 has
guiding tabs 96a protruding outward from its side edges as shown in FIG. 5. The cutter 96 is
an exemplary cutting unit.
20 [0112] The heater 95 and the cutter 96 are configured as a unit as shown in FIG. 5, and is
arranged opposite to the stamper 98 relative to the banknotes B brought into the tape loop L,
that is, opposite to the stamper 98 in the stacking direction of the banknotes B. More
specifically, the heater 95 and the cutter 96 are arranged over the tape gripping part 921.
The heater 95 bonds the portions of the tape Ton the base plate 922a of the tape gripping part
25 921. The cutter 96 cuts the tape Ton the base plate 922a of the tape gripping pmt 921.
33 G14-124IN1
[0113] The printer 97 is arranged in the tape transporter 912 as shown in FIG. 3. The
printer 97 prints characters on the tape T transported by the tape transporter 912. The printer
97 prints, for example, information about the banknotes B to be bundled (e.g., denomination,
date, and/or serial number) on the tape T. The print made by the printer 97 is shifted in the
5 tape width direction from a portion on which a seal will be stamped by the stamper 98 so that
the print does not overlap with the seal stamped by the stamper 98.
[0 114] The stamper 98 stamps a seal on the tape T wound around the banknotes B
compressed by the clamp 94. The stamper 98 stamps a seal related to the banknotes B to be
bundled (e.g., a seal of a financial institution, a seal indicating the kind of the banknotes such
10 as fit or unfit notes) on the tape T. The stamper 98 is arranged opposite to the heater 95 and
the cutter 96 relative to the banknotes B brought into the tape loop L as shown in FIG. 5, in
particular, opposite to the heater 95 and the cutter 96 in the stacking direction of the
banknotes B. The stamper 98 includes a stamp 981 and a displacement mechanism 982
which displaces the stamp 981 in the vettical direction. When the displacement mechanism
15 982 displaces the stamp 981 upward, the stamp 981 stamps a seal on the tape T wound around
the banknotes B in the stacking direction of the banknotes B. The stamper 98 forms an
· integral part of the lower guide 926, and moves up and down along with the lower guide 926
that is moving up and down. The stamp 981 is arranged between the pair of sidewalls 926a,
926a of the lower guide 926 in the direction parallel to the shmter edges of the lower guide
20 926, i.e., in the width direction of the tape T, as shown in FIG. 6. Note that the stamp 981 in
a normal state is arranged under the tln·ough hole 926d of the bottom wall 926b of the lower
guide 926, and does not protrude upward from the bottom wall 926b. When moved upward
by the displacement mechanism 982 , the stamp 981 goes tln-ough the through hole 926d to
protrude upward' from the bottom wall 926b, thereby stamping a seal on the tape T.
25 [0 115]
34 G14-l24INI
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration for the banknote
handling apparatus I 00.
[0116] The b[lnknote handling apparatus 100 includes a control unit 120 based on a wellknown
microcomputer, for example. The control unit 120 is cmmected to the above-
5 described units, namely, the hopper unit 2, the recognition unit 3, the bundling stackers 4, the
non-bundling stackers 5, the reject stacker 6, the first and second transport units 7 and 8, the
bundling unit 9, the third transport unit 10, and the touch panel 17 so as to transmit and
receive signals to/from these units. The control unit 120 is also cmmected to the banknote
sensor 25, the first and second banknote sensors 45 and 46, the stacking sensors 52 and 62,
10 the tracking sensors 74, the first, second and third tape sensors 9210, 9211 and 926e to
receive detection signals from these sensors. The control unit 120 generates a control signal
based on the signal supplied from the touch panel 17, the detection signals from the sensors
and other suitable signals, and outputs the generated control signal to the hopper unit 2 and
other units. The hopper unit 2 and other units operate in accordance with the control signal.
15 Taking the bundling stacker 4 as an example, the control unit 120 controls the fi·ont wall 40a
of the container 40, the stage 41, and the stacking wheel 42.
[0117]
It will be described how to perform a deposit process using this banknote handling
apparatus 100. In the deposit process, loose banknotes are sorted and stacked in the
20 predetermined stackers, and predetermined ones of them are bundled. In the following
description, a single kind banknote bundling process will be described, in which a
predetermined number of banknotes of a prescribed kind to be bundled are stacked alternately
in the first and second bundling stackers 4A, 4 B, and the predetermined number of banknotes
stacked are bundled sequentially by the bundling unit 9.
25 [0118] The banknote handling apparatus 100 is placed on a teller counter to be positioned
35 G14-124INI
on the front left side of the operator (on the front right side of a customer) when the operator
faces the customer over the teller counter. At this time, the banknote handling apparatus 100
is arranged such that the first side surface 123 of the housing 12 faces the customer. In this
state, the second side surface 124 of the housing 12 faces the operator. However, since the
5 bank note handling apparah1s 100 is located slightly on the fi·ont left side of the operator, the
customer can also see the second side surface 124.
[0 119] First, the operator receives loose banknotes to be deposited from the customer, and
places the banknotes on the hopper unit 2. At this time, even if the loose banknotes include
banknotes of multiple different kinds, all the banknotes are just placed on the hopper unit 2
10 without smting them. The operator adjusts the guides 22 according to the dimension of the
banknotes. Then, the operator operates the touch panel 17 to start the intake of the
banknotes. The banknote handling apparah1s 100 may automatically start the intake of the
banknotes when the banknote sensor 25 detects the banknotes placed on the hopper unit 2.
[0 120] The banknotes placed on the hopper unit 2 are brought into the housing 12 one by
15 one tluough the inlet 24 as the intake rollers 23 are activated. The banknotes thus taken in
are transported by the first transport unit 7, and pass tlu·ough the recognition unit 3. The
recognition unit 3 detects the kind of the banknotes passed, and informs the control unit 120
of the kind of the banknotes.
[0121] The control unit 120 designates the banknotes' destination according to the kind of
20 the banknotes. In particular, if the banknotes are fit banknotes of a predetermined .
denomination to be bundled, the control unit 120 designates the bundling stacker 4 (any one
of the bundling stackers 4A and 4B) as their destination. If the banknotes are unfit
banknotes of the predetermined denomination to be bundled, the contml nnit 120 designates
the first non-bundling stacker SA as their destination. If the banknotes are of any
25 denomination other than the predetermined denomination, the control unit 120 designates the
36 G14-124INI
second non-bundling stacker 5B as their destination. If the banknotes are rejected
banknotes, the control unit 120 designates the reject stacker 6 as their destination.
[0122] The control unit 120 controls the first transport unit 7 such that the banknotes are
transported to the stacker designated as their destination. In pmticular, the control unit 120
5 controls the smting mechanism 73 corresponding to the diverged path 72 leading to the
destination stacker such that the banknotes are guided from the main transport path 71· to the
diverged path 72. The control unit 120 switches the smting mechanism 73 when the
tracking sensor 74 just before the diverged path 72 detects the banknotes. Further, the
control unit 120 controls the stacking wheel 42, 51, or 61 of the destination stacker to bring
1 0 the banknotes into that stacker.
[0123] The banknotes to be transported to the bundling stacker 4 are transpmted to one of
the two bundling stackers 4. When the number of banknotes stacked in one of the bundling
stackers 4 reaches a predetetmined bundling number (e.g., 1 00), the remaining banknotes are
then transpmted to the other bundling stacker 4. In this example, the banknotes are supposed
15 to be transpmted to the first bundling stacker 4A first. When the banknotes are transported
one after another to the first bundling stacker 4A, the stacking wheel 42 rotates to stack the
banknotes one by one. At this time, when the uppermost one of the banknotes on the stage
41 is detected by the second banknote sensor 46, the stage 41 moves downward to a
predetermined degree so that the second banknote sensor 46 does not detect any banknotes.
20 Then, when the banknotes are further stacked much enough for the second banknote sensor 46
to detect the banknotes, the stage 41 then moves downward again to the predetermined
degree. Pmfonning this series of processing steps a number of times makes it possible to
keep the distance for the banknotes falling into the bundling stacker 4 to travel within a
predetermined range, thus enabling the banknotes falling freely to be stacked at the same
25 position and with the same orientation.
37 Gl4-124IN!
[0124] When the number ofbanknotes stacked in the first bundling stacker 4A reaches the
bundling number, the control unit 120 controls the second transport unit 8 so that the
banknotes in the first bundling stacker 4A are gripped by the gripper 81 and transported to the
bundling unit 9. Then, the control unit 120 controls the bundling unit 9 so that the banknotes
5 are bundled with the tape T.
[0125] When the number ofbanknotes stacked in the first bundling stacker 4A reaches the
bundling number, the remaining banknotes are stacked in the second bundling stacker 4B.
Then, when the number of banknotes stacked in the second bundling stacker 4B reaches the
bundling number, the remaining banknotes are stacked again in the first bundling stacker 4A.
10 By this time, the banknotes have already been transported from the first bundling stacker 4A,
and thus the first bundling stacker 4A is now empty. Thus, the provision of the two
bundling stackers 4 makes it possible to perform the bundling process while stacking the
banknotes cc:mtinuously.
[0126] Subsequently, the control unit 120 controls the third transport unit 10 so that the
15 bundled banknotes are dispensed through the dispense pmt 111.
[0 127] The unfit banknotes of the predetermined denomination are transported to the first
non-bundling stacker SA. When the banknotes are transported to the first non-bundling
stacker SA, the stacking wheel 51 a rotates to stack the transported banknotes in the container
50. Thus, the unfit banknotes of the predetermined denomination are stacked in the first
20 non-bundling stacker SA. Likewise, the banknotes of any denominations other than the
predetermined denomination are transpmted to, and stacked in, the second hon-bundling
stacker 5B. The rejected banknotes are also transported to, and stacked in, the reject stacker
6.
[0128] This series of processing steps will be performed over and over again until there are
25 no banknotes placed on the hopper unit 2. The banknote sensor 25 determines whether
38 GI4-124INI
banknotes are still present on the hopper unit 2 or not.
[0129] When the handling of the banknotes placed on the hopper unit 2 is finished, the
' rejected banknotes are taken in and recognized again. Specifically, the operator extracts the
rejected banknotes from the reject stacker 6, and places them on the hopper unit 2 to take
5 them into the apparatus again. The rejected b[mknotes are those which were not recognized
as normal banknotes for any reason, and thus another attempt is made to take in and recognize
them. Banknotes still recognized as rejected banknotes, if any, are restacked in the reject
stacker 6. Then, the operator returns those restacked banknotes to the customer.
[0130] Note that the banknotes stacked in the first and second non-bundling stackers SA,
I 0 5B are not taken in again.
[0131] Thus, when the handling of the banknotes placed on the hopper unit 2 and therehandling
of the rejected banknotes are finished, the single kind banknote bundling process is
finished, i.e., the counting and smting of the banknotes passed as those to be deposited by the
customer are finished. The touch panel 17 displays the counted amount of the banknotes.
15 The operator asks for a customer's approval of the amount, or checks whether the displayed
amount corresponds with the amount described on a deposit slip by the customer, and, if the:
answer is YES, the operator operates the touch panel 17 to confirm the deposit amount.
When the confirmation is done, a teller terminal (not shown) is informed of the confirmed
deposit amount, thereby finishing the deposit process.
20 [0132] After the deposit process is finished, the operator removes the bundled banknotes
stacked in the dispense unit II, the banknotes stacked in the bundling stackers 4, and the
banknotes stacked in the non-bundling stackers 5, and stores them in a predetermined storage
place.
[0 133] By performing this series of processing steps, loose banknotes of different kinds are
25 sorted into fit banknotes of a predetermined denomination, unfit banknotes of the
39 G 14-1241Nl
predetermined denomination, banknotes of every denomination but the predetermined
denomination, and rejected banknotes. The fit banknotes of the predetermined denomination
are bundled on a bundling number basis.
[0134]
5 Processes to be performed until the banknotes stacked in the bundling stacker 4 are
dispensed to the dispense unit II will be described below.
[0135] -Compression of Stacked Banknotes-
FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) show a banknote compression process performed in the
bundling stacker. FIG. 9(A) shows a state just after the banknotes have been stacked, and
10 FIG. 9(B) shows a state where the banknotes have just been compressed. In FIGS. 9(A) and
9(B), the first banknote sensor 45 is not shown.
[0136] As shown in FIG. 9(A), the stage 41 is located at a relatively low level just after the
banknotes have been stacked in the bundling stacker 4, and the uppermost one of the
banknotes B on the stage 41 is located away from the top plate 44.
15 [0137] When the stacking of the banknotes B is finished, the stage 41 moves upward to
compress the stacked banknotes B between the stage 41 and top plate 44. The control unit
120 moves the stage 41 upward to a position where the distance between the stage 41 and the
top plate 44 becomes a predetermined value Tl as shown in FIG. 9(B). As a result, the
ba.nknotes B on the stage 41 are compressed until their combined thickness becomes equal to
20 the predetermined value Tl. If the combined thickness of the banknotes B that have fallen
freely to, and been stacked on, the stage 41 is short of the predetermined value Tl (e.g., if the
banknotes B are new banknotes ), the banknotes B are not compressed even if the stage 41
moves upward as described above. The stage 41 and the top plate 44 are an exemplary
compressing unit.
25 [0138] -Transportation ofBanknotes to the Bundling Unit-
40 Gl4-124INI
When the stacking of the banknotes B is finished, the second transp01t unit 8
transports the banknotes B from the bundling stacker 4 to the bundling unit 9. FIG. 10
shows a state where the second transport unit 8 has removed the banknotes B from the
bundling stacker 4. FIG. 11 shows a state where the second transp01t unit 8 has transp01ted
5 the banknotes B to beside the tape loop L.
[0 139] Specifically, when the banknotes B have been stacked, the second transp01t unit 8
moves to the bundling stacker 4 in which the banknotes B have been stacked, grips the
banknotes B in the bundling stacker 4, and removes the banknotes B from the bundling
stacker 4 as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, suppose that the banknotes B have been stacked
10 in the first bundling stacker 4A. Then, the gripper 81 ofthe second transp01t unit 8 grips the
banknotes B in the first bundling stacker 4A. A gap in which the gripper 81 is insertable is
provided between the stage 41 and top plate 44 of the bundling stacker 4. Thus, the gripper
81 is allowed to grip the banknotes B sandwiched between the stage 41 and the top plate 44.
The gripper 81 sandwiches the banknotes B, compressed by the stage 41 and the top plate 44,
15 in the stacking direction to further compress them. That is, the thickness T2 of the banknotes
B gripped by the gripper 81 becomes smaller than the thickness Tl of the banknotes B
compressed by the stage 41 and the top plate 44. Note that the stage 41 moves downward
after the gripper 81 has sandwiched the banknotes B. The second transport unit 8 removes
the gripped banknotes B from the first bundling stacker 4A in the first horizontal direction.
20 At this time, the second transport unit 8 moves the banknotes B in the first horizontal
direction to a first predetermined position (ihe position: shown in FIG. 1 0). This first
position corresponds with a first horizontal position for transporting the banknotes B into the
large tape loop L2 as will be described later.
[0 140] Subsequently, the second transport unit 8 displaces the banknotes B vertically to a
25 second predetermined position as shown in FIG. 11. At this second position, the banknotes
41 GI4-124INI
B are going to be transported into the large tape loop L2. At the second position, the
bank notes B are located around the center of the large tape loop L2 as viewed in a direction
parallel to the longer edges of the banknotes B.
[0141] -Formation ofTape Loop-
5 The control unit 120 forms a tape loop L while the second transport unit 8 is
transporting the banknotes B from the bundling stacker 4 to the second position. FIG. 12
shows a state where the tape gripping patt 921 has gripped an end pmtion of the tape T.
FIG. 13 shows a state where the tape gripping part 921 has slatted to rotate while gripping the
tape Tat the end portion thereof. FIG. 14 shows a state where the tape gripping pmt 921 has
10 formed a small tape loop Ll. FIG. 15 shows a state where a large tape loop L2 has been
formed.
[0142] First, the pair of feed rollers 920 rewinds the tape T until the first tape sensor 9210
detects the end portion of the tape T. When the end portion of the tape Tis detected, the pair
of feed rollers 920 feeds the tape T. At this time, the tape gripping part 921 is in a standby
15 state with a gap left between the movable patt 923 and the base plate 922a to allow the tape T
fed by the pair of feed rollers 920 to be inserted into the gap. When the end portion of the
tape T is inserted between the movable part 923 and the base plate 922a, the rotating shaft 924
is driven in rotation, and the end pmtion of the tape T is gripped by the movable part 923 and
the base plate 922a as shown in FIG. 12. The movable patt 923 is locked with the erid
20 portion of the tape T gripped by itself and the base plate 922a. The end portion of the tape T
is gripped by the tape gripping part 921 substantially in a horizontal position.
[0143] Meanwhile, syncluunously with the feeding of the tape by the pair of feed mllers
920, the printer 97 prints characters on the tape T.
[0144] Then, the tape gripping part 921 statts to rotate while gripping the tapeT at the end
25 portion thereof as shown in FIG,, . 13. In the meantime, the pair of feed rollers 920 keeps
42 G14-124INI
feeding the tape T. The tape gripping part 921 rotates to displace the end pmtion of the tape
T downward, i.e., rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 13.
[0145] When the tape gripping part 921 makes substantially one round, a tape loop L is
formed as shown in FIG. 14. Such a tape loop L formed by having the tape grippingpat1
5 921 make substantially one round will be hereinafter referred to as a "small tape loop Ll."
The end portion of the tape T gripped by the tape gripping part 921 is located at an upper
portion of the small tape loop Ll, and the small tape loop Ll is formed under the tape
gripping part 921. The small tape loop Ll is formed at a lower level than the pair of feed
rollers 920.
10 [0146] When the small tape loop L1 is formed, the rotation of the tape gripping pat1 921
stops, while the pair of feed rollers 920 keeps feeding the tape T. As a result, the small tape
loop Ll gradually expands. Since the end portion of the tape T gripped by the tape gripping
part 921 is located at the upper portion of the small tape loop L 1, and the tape T is fed by the
pair of feed rollers 920 from the upper portion of the small tape loop L1, the small tape loop
15 Ll expands downwm·d. Since the guide 925 is arranged under the tape gripping part 921, the
tape loop L soon comes into contact with the guide 925, and thus the shape of the tape loop L
is defined by the guide 925. When the cumulative length of the tape T fed by the pair of feed
rollers 920 finally reaches a predetermined value, the tape loop L is formed into a
substantially rectangular shape by the guide 925 as shown in FIG. 15. This tape loop L will
20 be hereinafter referred to as a "large tape loop L2." The large tape loop L2 is in contact with
the lower guide 926 and the first and second lateral guides 927 and 928, and has a
substantially rectangular shape. In addition, the large tape loop L2 is also in contact with the
first to fomth corner guides 929a to 929d such that the large tape loop L2 has a rectangular
shape having rounded corners.
25 [0147] The control unit 120 detects that the large tape loop L2 has been formed by being
43 Gl4-124INI
notified of the fact that the second tape sensor 9211 detects the tape T when the cumulative
length of the tape T fed by the pair of feed rollers 920 reaches the predetermined value. The
control unit 120 calculates the cumulative length of the tape T fed based on the angle of
rotation of the stepping motor that has driven the pair of feed rollers 920 since the first tape
5 sensor 9210 has detected the end portion of the tape T. If the second tape sensor 9211 has
not detected the tape T yet even though the cumulative length of the tape T fed by the pair of
feed rollers 920 has already reached a predetermined value, a pmtion of the tape loop L may
possibly sag inward and the shape of the tape loop L may be different from the desired shape
along the guide 925 (i.e., the shape of the large tape loop L2). Thus, if the second tape
10 sensor 9211 has not detected the tape T yet when the cumulative length of the tape T fed by
the pair of feed rollers 920 reaches the predetermined value, the control unit 120 rewinds the
tape T to a predetermined rewinding length, and then feeds the tape T again until the
cumulative length fed reaches the predetermined value. Then, the control unit 120
determines whether the second tape sensor 9211 has detected the tape T or not. If the second
15 tape sensor 9211 still has not detected the tape T yet, the control unit 120 performs the
rewinding, feeding and detection check of the tape T all over again.
[0148] The second tape sensor 9211 is configured to detect the tape T guided by the fourth
corner guide 929d. That is, the second tape sensor 9211 detects whether the tape T is
present or not at a predetermined position above the banknotes B transported into the large
20 tape loop L2. If any portion of the tape loop L sags inward, it is highly likely that the upper
portion of the tape loop L sags due to the tape's own weight. That is to say, arranging the
second tape sensor 9211 at the above-described position allows detection of the sag of the
tape loop L accurately.
[0 149] The large tape loop L2 is formed synchronously with the transpott of the banknotes
25 B from the bundling stacker 4 to the bundling unit 9 by the second transport unit 8 as shown
44 Gi4-1241Nl
in FIGS. 10 and 11. Ordinarily (i.e., if the large tape loop L2 is fmmed at a time by feeding
the tape T once), the large tape loop L2 has already been formed when the banknotes B are
transpmted to the second position.
[0150] -Winding of the Tape-
5 FIGS. 16(A)-16(C) show how the respective members operate until the banknotes
B transp01ted into the large tape loop L2 are gripped by the temporary gripping unit 93 when
the banknotes B are viewed in the thickness direction. FIGS. 17(A)-17(C) show how the
respective members operate until the banknotes B transpmted into the large tape loop L2 are
gripped by the temporary gripping unit 93 when the banknotes B are viewed in the direction
10 parallel to their shmter edges. FIGS. 16(A) and 17(A) show a state just before the banknotes
Bare transported into the large tape loop L2. FIGS. 16(B) and 17(B) show a state where the
banknotes Bare transported into the large tape loop L2. FIGS. 16(C) and 17(C) show a state
where the banknotes B are gripped by the temporary gripping unit 93. FIGS. 18(A)-18(C)
show how the respective members operate until the banknotes B are gripped again by the
15 gripper 81 and the tape T is wound around the banknotes B when the banknotes B are viewed
in the thickness direction. FIGS. 19(A)-19(C) show how the respective members operate
until the banknotes B are gripped again by the gripper 81 and the tape T is wound around the
banknotes B when the banknotes B are viewed in the direction parallel to their shmter edges.
FIGS. 18(A) and 19(A) show a state where the gripper 18 grips the banknotes B again, FIGS.
20 18(B) and 19(B) show a state where the clamp 94 presses the banknotes B, and FIGS. 18(C)
and 19(C) show a state where the tape T is wound around the banknotes B. FIG. 20 shows
the state of the guide 925 when the clamp 94 presses the banknotes B. In FIGS. 16(A)-
16(C) and 18(A)-18(C), the upper gripping patt 931, the upper fixed clamp 941 and the upper
movable clamp 942 are not shown. Further, in FIGS. 16(A)-16(C) and 18(A)-18(C),
25 portions of the lower gripping part 932 and the lower clatnps 943, 944 in contact with the
45 Gl4-1241Nl
banknotes Bare hatched.
[0151] As described above, the second transport unit 8 transports the banknotes B to the
second position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 (see FIGS. 16(A) and 17(A)), and then moves
the banknotes B in the second horizontal direction to bring the banknotes B into the large tape
5 loop L2. The gripper 81 of the second transp01t unit 8 moves the banknotes B in the second
horizontal direction to a third predetermined position as shown in FIGS. 16(B) and 17(B).
At this third position, the tape T corresponds with approximately the center of the banknotes B
in a direction parallel to their longer edges in the second horizontal direction. At this time,
the temporary gripping unit 93 also moves in the second horizontal direction as the second
10 transport unit 8 moves. Specifically, in the second horizontal direction, the temporary
gripping unit 93 moves in the same direction as the second transport unit 8. The magnitude
of movement of the temporary gripping nnit 93 corresponds with that of the second transport
unit 8.
[0152] When the banknotes B are transp01ted to the third position, the temporary gripping
15 unit 93 grips the banknotes B. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16(C) and 17(C), the
upper gripping part 931 moves downward and the lower gripping part 932 moves upward
such that the upper and lower gripping parts 931 and 932 sandwich the banknotes B vettically
at substantially the middle of the large tape loop L2 in the height direction. The temporary
gripping unit 93 grips a top portion of the banknotes B that has been inserted into the large
20 ·tape loop L2 and that has passed through the large tape loop L2.
[0153] When the temporary gripping unit 93 grips the banknotes B, the gripper 81 of the
second transport unit 8 releases the banknotes B and moves in the second horizontal direction
opposite to the direction in which the banknotes B were brought into the large tape loop L2.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 18(A) and 19(A), the gripper 81 grips the banknotes B again at their
25 portion other than a portion to be bundled (a portion around which the tape Twill be wound
46 G14-124INI
later in the process).
[0154] Subsequently, the clamp 94 presses the banknotes B in the stacking direction, i.e.,
fi·om over and from under the banknotes in the ve1tical direction. Specifically, as the lower
clamps 943, 944 of the clamp 94 move upward, the gripper 81 and the temporary gripping
5 unit 93 also move upward accordingly. At this time, the upper movable clamp 942 is located
at the clamp position. Finally, as shown in FIGS. 18(B) and 19(B), the lower clamps 943,
944 press the banknotes B against the upper clamps 941, 942. The upper clamps 941, 942
and the lower clamps 943, 944 sandwich vertically the banknotes B at both sides of their
portions to be bundled in the direction parallel to their longer edges. Thus, the banknotes B
10 are compressed vertically by the upper clamps 941, 942 and the lower clamps 943, 944. The
lower clamps 943, 944 that move upward stop at a position where the upper clamps 941, 942
and the lower clamps 943, 944 compress the banknotes B to a predetermined thickness.
When the upper clamps 941, 942 and the lower clamps 943, 944 press the banknotes B, the
gripper 81 and the temporary gripping unit 93 no longer grip the banknotes B.
15 [0155] The lower clamps 943, 944 form integral parts of the lower guide 926. Thus, as
shown in FIGS. 18(B) and 19(B), the lower guide 926 also moves upward as the lower clamps
943, 944 move upward. At this time, the pair of feed rollers 920 rewinds the tape T as the
lower guide 926 moves upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the tape loop L shrinks as
the lower guide 926 moves upward. In addition, the second lateral guide 928 also moves
20 upward as the lower guide 926 moves upward. Thus, a space is left for the tape loop L to
deform. That is to say, if the velocity of the upward movement of the lower guide 926 is too
high as compared with the rate of slu·inkage of the tape loop L, the tape loop L deforms so as
to grow out of the guide 925. At this time, the second lateral guide 928 has retreated from
beside the tape loop L, and thus the tape loop L is allowed to expand toward the space where
25 the second lateral guide 928 was located originally. This prevents the tape T from bending:

CLAIMS
I. A paper sheet bundling apparatus configured to bundle stacked paper
sheets with a tape, the apparatus comprising:
a clamp configured to compress the stacked paper sheets from both of two sides of
the stacked paper sheets in a stacking direction of the paper sheets;
a bundling unit configured to bundle, with the tape, the paper sheets· being
compressed by the clamp; and
a stamper configured to stamp a seal on the tape, wherein
the stamper stamps the seal on the tape that has been wound around the paper
sheets, while the clamp is compressing the paper sheets.
2. The paper sheet bundling apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the stamper stamps the seal from the stacking direction.
3. The paper sheet bundling apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:
a bonding unit configured to bond together portions of the tape wound around the
paper sheets; and
a cutting unit configured to cut the tape at its pottion not wound around the paper
20 sheets, wherein
25
the bonding unit and the cutting unit are arranged on one of the two sides of the
paper sheets in the stacking direction, and
the stamper is arranged on the other side of the paper sheets in the stacking
direction.
69 G14-124INI
4. The paper sheet bundling apparatus of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a bonding unit configured to bond together portions of the tape wound around the·
paper sheets; and
a cutting unit configured to cut the tape at its portion not wound around the paper
5 sheets, wherein
10
stamping is performed by the stamper at least partially in parallel with bonding by
the bonding unit and/or cutting by the cutting unit.
5. The paper sheet bundling apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the stamper stamps the seal from a direction mihogonal to the stacking direction.
6. The paper sheet bundling apparatus of any one of claims 1-5, fmiher
comprising:
a guide having a pair of sidewalls which regulates the position of the tape in a tape
15 width direction when the tape is wound around the paper sheets, and
20
25
the stamper is arranged between the pair of sidewalls.
7. The paper sheet bundling apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, further
comprising:
a printer configured to print a character on the tape, wherein
the stamper and the printer are arranged such that the seal stamped by the stamper
is shifted in the tape width direction from, and does not overlap with, the character printed by
the printer.
8. The paper sheet bundling apparatus of any one of claims 1-7, wherein
70 Gl4-124INI
the bundling unit includes a tape loop forming tonit configured to form a tape loop
from the tape and rewind the tape after the paper sheets have been put into the tape loop to
wind the tape around the paper sheets, and
the tape loop forming unit includes a feeder configured to feed the tape in forming ·
the tape loop and forms the tape loop under the feeder.