GB2543555A

GB2543555A - Sheet engaging device

Info

Publication number: GB2543555A
Application number: GB1518737.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brugger Robert; Wurthner Martin; Schlage Jan; Monneron Pierre-Yves
Original assignee: Glory Global Solutions International Ltd
Current assignee: Glory Global Solutions International Ltd
Priority date: 2015-10-22
Filing date: 2015-10-22
Publication date: 2017-04-26
Also published as: GB201518737D0

Abstract

A sheet engaging device comprises a mounting portion 11 and a pressure distribution mechanism 12 connected to the mounting portion and adapted to contact a face of a stack of sheets 100 opposing the pressure distribution mechanism. At least one element 13a, 13b is movably mounted mechanism and adapted to move in response to a reaction force between the at least one element and the stack of sheets at a first location on the stack of sheets, causing the mechanism to apply a pressure at a second location on the stack of sheets so that pressures are applied by the mechanism at a plurality of locations on the face of the opposing stack of sheets. This ensures that the sheets, which may be banknotes, exert an even pressure on separation rollers 5a, 5b, even though the stack may be of uneven height. The elements 13 may be pivoted and biased with respect to the mechanism. Additionally, a roller assembly for a sheet handling apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft portion and at least one roller portion on the rotatable shaft and a flexible portion allowing the roller assembly to flex in response to an applied pressure from the stack 100 or the sheet engaging device.

Description

Sheet engaging device

Background

The present invention relates to a sheet engaging device, a flexible roller, and apparatus comprising the sheet engaging device and/or flexible roller.

The trend in banknote design is to use polymer notes with a clear window instead of cotton based paper notes. This means that the thickness of a banknote can vary over its surface; the clear areas being thinner than the printed areas or vice versa. Thicknesses of banknotes may also vary for reasons such as varying levels of ink used, raised areas, different materials etc. When polymer notes are within a bundle, either in a bundle comprising solely polymer notes or a mixture of polymer and cotton-based notes, such as in a cash dispenser or cash recycler, the shape of the bundle may be uneven or slanted due to the variation in thickness of the notes. The same problem can also exist when a cotton note is used which has a metallic foil, or other security device therein, which provides a non-uniform thickness across the extent of the note. An uneven thickness in a bundle of notes may also be caused by horizontal distribution of the notes, for example if they do not have a neat edge in the stack.

In order to separate a note from the bundle known devices use a sheet engagement device, also known as a packer plate (or a pusher plate) to press the bundle of notes towards a separator device, for example a pair of picker rollers. A problem with using notes with a varying thickness in known devices with packer plates is that there is an uneven pressure distribution on the picker rollers and this creates skewed note feeding which is not desirable as it can cause notes to be rejected by the machine in which the notes are contained.

Statement of invention

In a first aspect there is provided a sheet engaging device comprising: a mounting portion; and a pressure distribution mechanism connected to the mounting portion and adapted to contact a face of a stack of sheets opposing the pressure distribution mechanism; the pressure distribution mechanism comprising at least one element movably mounted to the mounting portion and adapted to move in response to a reaction force between the at least one element and the stack of sheets at a first location on the stack of sheets, so as to cause the pressure distribution mechanism to apply a pressure at a second location on the stack of sheets so that pressures are applied by the pressure distribution mechanism at a plurality of locations on the face of the opposing stack of sheets.

It may therefore be considered that pressure is applied by the pressure distribution mechanism at a plurality of locations on the stack. Or in other words that respective pressures are applied by the pressure distribution mechanism at respective locations on the stack. Therefore it may be considered that the pressure distribution mechanism comprises at least one element movably mounted to the mounting portion and adapted to move in response to a reaction force between the at least one element and the stack of sheets at a first location on the stack of sheets, so as to cause the pressure distribution mechanism to apply a pressure at a second location of the stack of sheets so that respective pressures are applied by the pressure distribution mechanism at a plurality of respective locations on the face of the opposing stack of sheets

By providing a pressure distribution mechanism connected to the mounting portion and having at least one element movably mounted to the mounting portion, wherein the pressure distribution mechanism is adapted to apply pressures at a plurality of locations on the face of the opposing stack of sheets, the present invention allows the sheet engaging device to take account of variations in the height of an uneven or slanted stack of sheets held in a holder. In this way the pressure distribution mechanism can reduce or eliminate variations in the pressure distribution between the sheet engaging device and the face of the opposing stack. Consequently, when inserted in a sheet handling apparatus the sheet engaging device can also reduce or eliminate variations in a pressure distribution between a separator device of the sheet handling apparatus and a face of the stack facing the separator device. Therefore sheets can be separated from the stack held in a holder of the sheet handling apparatus more reliably and with reduced likelihood of skewed feeding compared to current systems.

It will be understood that the reaction force between the at least one element and the stack will result in a pressure being exerted by the at least one element on the stack. That is the reaction force at the first location has an associated pressure exerted by the at least one element on the stack at the first location. It will also be noted that the first location is a different location from the second location. In other words the first location is spaced from the second location. It should be noted that a stack of sheets is not required to be associated with the sheet engaging device at all times, and so references to the stack should be interpreted as references to the stack when the stack is correctly loaded in a sheet handling apparatus having a sheet engaging device.

According to some embodiments the sheet engaging device is adapted such that the pressures are applied by the pressure distribution mechanism at the plurality of locations dependent upon a height of the stack at those locations.

According to some embodiments the pressure distribution mechanism is adapted to apply substantially equalised pressures at the plurality of locations. For example the pressure applied by the pressure distribution mechanism on the face of the stack is substantially equal at the first location and second location.

According to some embodiments the at least one element comprises a first element and a second element, the first element comprising a first stack-engaging surface for applying pressure at the first location and the second element comprising a second stack-engaging surface for applying pressure at the second location.

According to some embodiments the first element and the second element are connected to each other by a biasing means.

According to some embodiments the biasing means comprises at least one spring.

According to some embodiments, the at least one spring comprises a leaf spring.

According to some embodiments the biasing means is configured to cause movement of one of the first element and the second element in response to movement of the other of the first element and second element.

According to some embodiments the first element is connected to the mounting portion by a first hinge and the second element is connected to the mounting portion by a second hinge, so as to enable rotational movement of the first element and second element about the mounting portion.

According to some embodiments the first and/or second element are rotatable to an angle of between 0 and 45 degrees from a notional plane between an axis of the first hinge and an axis of the second hinge.

According to some embodiments the mounting portion comprises a fixed element of the pressure distribution mechanism.

According to some embodiments the mounting portion comprises a fixed element of the pressure distribution mechanism positioned between the first element and the second element.

According to some embodiments the fixed element comprises a fixed stack-engaging surface.

According to some embodiments the at least one element is a single element.

According to some embodiments the sheet engaging device comprises biasing means to bias the single element in a direction towards the stack of sheets.

According to some embodiments the at least one element comprises a first element and a second element connected by a rigid link.

According to some embodiments the rigid link is slidably mounted to the mounting portion.

According to some embodiments the rigid link is pivotally mounted to the mounting portion.

According to some embodiments the sheet engaging device comprises a linkage adapted to enable translational movement of the at least one element in a first direction towards the stack of sheets and in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

According to some embodiments the linkage comprises a spring.

According to some embodiments the at least one element is movably mounted to the mounting portion so as to confonn to a height profile of the opposing stack of sheets. That is in some embodiments the at least one element is movably mounted to the mounting portion so that an orientation of the at least one element can be varied so as to confonn to a height profile of the opposing stack of sheets.

In a second aspect there is provided a roller assembly for a sheet handling apparatus, the roller assembly comprising: a rotatable shaft portion; at least one roller portion on the rotatable shaft portion for contacting a stack of sheets in the sheet handling apparatus; the roller assembly comprising at least one flexible portion to allow at least a portion of the roller assembly to flex in response to a force applied thereto by the stack of sheets and/or a sheet engaging device.

According to some embodiments the roller assembly comprises two or more rollers spaced apart along the rotatable shaft portion.

According to some embodiments the flexible portion is part of the rotatable shaft portion.

In a third aspect there is provided a sheet handling apparatus comprising: a holder for holding a stack of sheets; a separator device for separating sheets from a first face of a stack of sheets held in the holder; and a sheet engaging device as set forth in the first aspect, the sheet engaging device being movable in a direction towards or away from the separator device.

According to some embodiments the separator device is arranged to separate sheets from the stack of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet engaging device is movable towards the separator device.

The sheet handling apparatus may be adapted to feed sheets from a stack held in the holder to an internal part of a machine in which the sheet handling apparatus is incorporated. For example, sheets may be separated from a stack held in the holder and sent to an internal holder or storage. The sheet handling apparatus may form part of an input pocket and feeder module, for example an input pocket and feeder module of a teller cash recycler. Alternatively, the sheet handling apparatus may be adapted to dispense sheets from a stack held in the holder to an exterior of a machine in which the sheet handling apparatus is incorporated. A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a sheet handling apparatus comprising: a holder for holding a stack of sheets; a separator device for separating sheets from a first face of a stack of sheets held in the holder, the separator device comprising a roller assembly as set forth in the second aspect; and a sheet engaging device as set forth in the first aspect, the sheet engaging device being movable in a direction towards the separator device. A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a sheet handling apparatus comprising: a holder for holding a stack of sheets; a separator device for separating sheets from a first face of a stack of sheets held in the holder, the separator device comprising a roller assembly as set forth in the second aspect; and a sheet engaging device, the sheet engaging device being movable in a direction towards the separator device so as to press the stack of sheets towards the separator device.

In a sixth aspect there is provided a document handling machine comprising a sheet handling apparatus as set forth in any of the third, fourth or fifth aspects.

According to some embodiments the document handling machine is adapted to handle one or more documents of value.

According to some embodiments the documents of value comprise any one or more of or a combination of: cash; a cheque. A seventh aspect of the invention provides a counter, cash recycler, cash dispenser, cash deposit machine, ATM dispensing machine, recycling cassette, dispensing cassette, deposit cassette or sheet sorting machine comprising the above-described document handling apparatus.

Brief description of Figures

Embodiment(s) of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an input pocket and associated features of part of a Teller Cash Recycler (TCR) comprising a sheet handling apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a packer device of the TCR of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate the operation of the sheet handling apparatus of the TCR of Fig. 1 with an uneven stack of banknotes;

Fig. 4 illustrates operation of the sheet handling apparatus of the TCR of Fig. 1 with a differently shaped stack of banknotes;

Fig. 5 illustrates a packer device that has been retrofitted in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic view of the sheet handling apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Figs. 7a to 7e illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing certain aspects of a sheet handling apparatus;

Figs 9a to 9c are schematic diagrams showing a progression as a stack of banknotes is reduced in height.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 shows an input pocket and a feeder module 1 of a teller cash recycler (or TCR) comprising a sheet handling apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sheet handling apparatus 2 comprises a cavity or holder 3 for holding a stack of banknotes and a separator device 4 for separating banknotes from a first face of a stack of banknotes held in the holder 3, for example to feed banknotes into the TCR. The separator device 4 comprises first and second picker rollers or separator rollers 5a, 5b provided on a rotatable shaft 6 that is rotatable by a motor (not shown in Fig. 1) to separate banknotes from the first face of the stack. The first and second separator rollers 5a, 5b are spaced apart along the shaft 6 in a long-edge or length direction of notes stored in the holder 3 of sheet handling apparatus 2. This is explained in more detail with respect to Figure 8. However it will be appreciated that the banknotes can also be loaded in the holder 3 in a different orientation, such that the long-edge of the stack is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the roller shaft 6.

The sheet handling apparatus 2 further comprises a sheet engaging device or packer device 10 configured to engage a second opposing face of the stack. The packer device 10 is movable by a motor (not shown in Fig. 1) in a direction towards the separator device 4 to apply a packing pressure to the stack to urge the stack of banknotes in the holder 3 towards the separator rollers 5a, 5b. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the packer device 10 faces downwardly to urge the stack of banknotes downwardly onto the separator rollers 5a, 5b, although other orientations are possible. By urging the stack of banknotes towards the separator rollers 5a, 5b, the packer device 10 maintains pressure between the separator rollers 5a, 5b and the first face of the stack of banknotes to ensure reliable separation and feeding of banknotes from the first face of the stack.

Some of these concepts are further explained with respect to Figure 8. In Figure 8 a stack of documents (e.g. a stack of banknotes and/or cheques) is shown at 800. Each note in the stack (and the stack itself) has a long-edge (or length) in the direction of arrow Ls and a short edge (or width) in the direction of arrow Ws. The stack also has a height in the direction of arrow Hs. A packer device is shown schematically at 810, which is attached to a movable cross-bar 811. The movable cross-bar 811 can be driven towards and away from the stack 800, in the direction of the height of the stack 800. Therefore the packer device 810 can be driven down on to the stack 800 to apply a pressure thereto. The packer device 810 has a length Lp which is configured so that in the illustrated stack configuration the length Lp is parallel to the long edge of the stack when the stack is in the holder 803. The packer device has a width Wp which is configured so that in the shown configuration it is parallel to the short edge of the stack when the stack is in the holder. The length direction of the packer device 810 may also be considered to be parallel to a longitudinal axis X-X of the roller shaft 806. The length direction of the packer device 810 may also be considered to be perpendicular to a separation direction of notes from the stack. The packer device may comprise a plurality of elements that are spaced along a length of the packer plate, such as elements 813a, 812 and 813b. This is explained in more detail further below. In use, the stack 800 is sandwiched between the packer plate 810 and separator rollers 805a and 805b which are mounted on shaft 806. The shaft 806 has a longitudinal axis X-X which is configured so that in the illustrated stack configuration the axis X-X is parallel to the long edge of the stack when the stack 800 is in the holder 803. The stack could also be loaded differently, so that the short-edge of the stack is parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the roller shaft 806. The longitudinal axis of the roller shaft 806 may therefore be considered to be perpendicular to a separation direction of notes from the stack Thus, the separator rollers 805a and 805b may be considered to be spaced apart along a length of the roller shaft 806. The stack 800 may be considered to have a first face 800a which faces the separation rollers 805a and 805b, and a second face 800b which faces the packer device 810.

Fig. 2 shows the packer device 10 in isolation. The packer device 10 comprises a mounting portion 11. The mounting portion 11 is in in the form of a cross-bar or cross-member. The mounting portion 11 is mounted in a track or slot providing a guide-path for the cross-bar 811 (and consequently the packer device 10) to be moved towards a stack of banknotes, as explained with respect to Figure 8. The mounting portion 11 can be moved via levers 8 (shown in Fig. 6) which are connected to a motor. In Fig. 6 the packer device is shown schematically at 10. The levers 8 act to move the packer device 10 in the direction towards (or away from) the separator device 4. The track, and the path along which the packer device is movable towards the separator device, maybe straight, or alternatively may be arcuate, or may comprise a combination of straight and arcuate paths.

The packer device 10 further comprises a pressure distribution device or mechanism indicated generally at 20. The pressure distribution device 20 is adapted to apply packing pressures at a plurality of locations across the second face of a stack held in the holder 3 to take account of variations in the height of an uneven or slanted stack. The pressure distribution device 20 applies packing pressures at the plurality of locations across the second face of the stack dependent upon a height of the stack at the respective location to apply substantially equalised packing pressures at the plurality of locations. That is at each location the pressure applied by the pressure distribution mechanism is substantially equal.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pressure distribution device 20 comprises a fixed stack-engaging element 12. The fixed stack-engaging element is fixed relative to the mounting portion 11, and may be integrally fonned with the mounting portion 11. The fixed stack-engaging element provides a first stack engaging surface 15 on a plate portion configured to engage the second face of the stack. The fixed stack-engaging element may itself be considered as a mounting portion.

The pressure distribution device 20 further comprises first and second movable stack-engaging elements 13a, 13b. These stack-engaging elements 13a and 13b may also be referred to as “wings”. The movable stack engaging elements 13a, 13b respectively provide stack engaging surfaces 16,17 configured to engage the second face of the stack. The stack-engaging surfaces 15,16,17 are spaced along a length direction of the packer device 10 that is parallel to a length direction of banknotes in the stack when correctly loaded in the holder 3. As previously mentioned the stack could be loaded in a different orientation, so that the short-edge of the stack is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller shaft. Therefore it may be considered that the length direction of the packer device 10 extends parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller shaft of the separation device. The length direction of the packer device 10 extends orthogonal to a separation plane in which banknotes are separated from the first face of the stack. In this embodiment the movable stack engaging elements are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the fixed stack engaging element.

Each of the movable stack-engaging elements 13a, 13b is rotatably connected to the fixed stack-engaging element 12. To this end the fixed stack-engaging element 12 may itself be considered a mounting portion i.e. it acts as a mounting portion for the movable stack-engaging elements 13a and 13b. Therefore the fixed stack-engaging element may act as a common mount for the movable stack-engaging elements 13 a, 13b. In another embodiment, one or both of the stack-engaging elements could be rotatably mounted directly to the mounting portion 11, independently of the fixed stack-engaging element 12. The movable stack engaging elements 13 a, 13b are attached to opposing sides of the fixed stack engaging element 12 by hinges 14a, 14b. The hinges 14a and 14b are located along the edges of the respective elements 13a and 13b closest to the fixed stack engaging element 12. The hinges allow each of the movable stack engaging elements 13a, 13b to rotate about axes substantially perpendicular to the height of the stack. That is the element 13b can rotate about axis P and the element 13a can rotate about axis Q. In this way, each of the movable stack engaging elements 13 a, 13b is capable of rotating towards or away from the separator device (and any stack of banknotes held in the holder 3). For example, the movable stack engaging elements may each be independently rotatable in either direction from a neutral position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2). For example the movable stack engaging elements may each be rotatable by up to 45 degrees. Of course this is by way of non-limiting example and other angles may be possible. For example one or both of the engaging elements may be rotatable over a range of 0 to 30 degrees, or 0 to 20 degrees, or 0 to 10 degrees. The neutral position is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which the stack engaging surfaces 16, 17 of the movable stack engaging elements 13 a, 13b lie in the same plane and are each the same distance away from the dispenser device 4. The rotation angle of the first and/or second stack engaging elements may be considered to be relative to a notional plane passing between an axis of the first hinge and an axis of the second hinge. This notional plane is shown for example by the dashed line in Figure 3 a, referenced 7. Again with reference to Figure 3 a, the elements 13a and/or 13b may be able to rotate by the above mentioned ranges upwardly and downwardly (when viewing Figure 3a) relative to the notional plane 7. It will be understood that the elements 13a and 13b can both move in the same direction at the same time (e.g. both could move upwards or both could move downwards at the same time (when viewing Figure 3a)), and/or they can also move in opposite directions at the same time (i.e. one element can move upwards whilst the other moves downwards (when viewing Figure 3a)). A leaf spring 18 (shown in Fig. 3a) is attached to a reverse face of the fixed stack engaging element 12. The leaf spring 18 extends from the fixed stack-engaging element 12 and engages reverse faces of each of the movable stack engaging elements 13 a, 13b. By reverse face is meant a face which is on a reverse side of a stack engaging element from a respective stack-engaging surface. The leaf spring 18 is arranged to impart a biasing force to each of the movable stack engaging elements 13a, 13b. The leaf spring 18 is configured to bias one of the movable stack engaging elements 13 a, 13b towards the separator device 4 in response to the other one of the movable stack engaging elements 13 a, 13b being moved relative to the fixed element (for example when pressure is applied to one or both of the stack engaging surfaces 16, 17 by a stack of banknotes held in the holder). The leaf spring 18 may be configured such that in a rest position of the spring the movable stack engaging elements 13a, 13b are held in their neutral positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. For example the leaf spring 18 may hold the stack engaging elements 13a and 13b in their neutral position when the pressure distribution device is not externally loaded, for example when no force is applied to the stack engaging surfaces 16, 17 by a stack of banknotes. However, other relaxed or neutral positions are possible, for example with the movable stack engaging elements being angled towards the separator device 4.

Operation of the sheet handling apparatus 2 will now be described with reference to Figs. 3a and 3b to illustrate the advantageous effects of the sheet engaging (or packer) device and sheet handling apparatus.

Fig. 3a schematically illustrates the sheet handling apparatus 2 with a stack 100 of banknotes located in the holder 3. The stack of banknotes is such that a height of the stack is variable. For example the height of the stack could be different at different locations over the length and/or width of the stack. As discussed previously, this may for example be because at least some of the banknotes have a thickness that varies across the area of the banknote. The uneven stack is shown in Fig. 3a. The stack of banknotes 100 comprises a first face 100a which faces the rollers 5a and 5b, and a second face 100b which faces the pressure distribution device 20. The second face 100b is non-parallel (or in this case slanted) relative to the first face 100a. It will be understood that the degree of slant of the stack may be exaggerated in the Figures for the purposes of explanation, and that the in practice the degree of slant of the stack may be less than that shown. If the stack of banknotes 100 were urged towards the separator device 4 by a conventional packer plate (i.e. a packer plate not including any pressure distribution device or movable stack engaging surfaces), the uneven nature of the stack would result in variations in the pressure distribution between the packer plate and the second face 100b of the stack. These pressure variations may be significant. This may also lead to variations in the pressure distribution between the separator rollers 5a, 5b and the first face 100a of the stack. In this example, the height of the stack is greater on the left (when viewing Figure 3a) and therefore would lead to the contact pressure being greater for the first separator roller 5a than for the second separator roller 5b, when a conventional packer plate is used. If the height of the stack was greater on the right (when viewing Figure 3a), then this would lead to the contact pressure being greater for the second separator roller 5b when a conventional packer plate is used.

However, in the embodiment of Figure 3 a, as the motor is operated to move the packer device 10 in the direction towards the separator device 4 (i.e. in direction of arrow A) to urge the stack of banknotes 100 towards the separator device 4, the second face 100b of the stack of banknotes 100 exerts a reaction force on the stack-engaging surface 16 of first movable stack engaging element 13a, where the stack of banknotes 100 contacts the surface 16. This causes the first movable stack engaging element 13a to rotate clockwise (when viewing Figures3a and 3b) about hinge 14a relative to the fixed element 12. Therefore movable element 13a rotates in a direction which is opposite from a direction in which the packer plate 10 is driven towards the stack. As this happens, the reaction force caused by contact between the stack 100 and element 13a causes the leaf spring 18 to exert a biasing force on the second movable stack engaging element 13b in a direction towards the separator device 4. This causes the second movable stack engaging element 13b to rotate clockwise (when viewing Figure 3b) about hinge 14b relative to the fixed stack engaging element 12. That is the element 13b rotates in a direction towards the separator device 4 and the stack (as also shown in Fig. 3b). In this state the stack engaging surface 16 (or at least a portion thereof) is further away from the separator device 4 than the stack engaging surfaces 15, 17. Likewise the stack engaging surface 17 (or at least a portion thereof) is closer to the separator device 4 than the stack engaging surfaces 15 and 16. Therefore the pressure distribution device 20 takes account of variations in the height of the stack of banknotes 100, and is adapted to apply substantially equalised packing pressures across the second face 100b of the stack to reduce or eliminate differences in the contact pressures at the first and second separator rollers 5a, 5b. That is each location on the stack will be subject to a substantially equal pressure from the pressure distribution mechanism.

It will be appreciated that if the stack of banknotes was slanted in the opposite direction, compression of the stack of banknotes 100 between the packer device 10 and the separator device 4 would cause the second movable stack engaging element 13b to rotate anti-clockwise (when viewing Figures 3a and 3b), which would cause a corresponding anti-clockwise rotation of element 13 a, towards the separator device 4.

In addition, it is possible that compression of a stack of banknotes between the packer device 10 and the separator device 4 may cause both of the movable stack engaging elements 13a, 13b to move in the same direction. For example, in the case of a stack of banknotes 200 that has a smaller height at its centre and a greater height towards its ends, as shown in Fig. 4, both of the movable stack engaging elements 13 a, 13b may be moved against the biasing force of the leaf spring 18 to take account of the variation in the height of the stack 200. This may cause pressure to be distributed to fixed element 12, so as to distribute pressure (in the direction of arrow A) from the pressure distributing device 20 to the stack of banknotes 200.

In one aspect, the shaft 6 on which the separator rollers 5a, 5b are mounted may be flexible or may include at least one flexible region. This allows one or both of the separator rollers 5a, 5b to flex or move in response to a force exerted thereon by the stack. For example the flexible shaft or flexible region may allow each of the rollers to move downwardly (in the direction of arrow A) or upwardly (in the direction of arrow B), with respect to Figure 4. This also helps to account for variations in the height of the stack and to further assist with the equalisation of contact pressures between the first face 100a of the stack and the first and second separator rollers 5 a, 5b. Although in the Figures two rollers 5a and 5b are shown, in another embodiment this may be replaced by a single, longer roller, or any other number of rollers. In some embodiments the flexible portion is comprised in the shaft portion. Alternatively the flexible portion is comprised in one or more of the rollers. Alternatively both the shaft and roller(s) may be flexible. Additionally or alternatively the roller assembly may be rendered flexible by spring loading the ends of the rotatable shaft. That is there may be a spring loaded connection between the roller assembly and a machine incorporating the roller assembly.

The component part of the TCR which is shown in part in Fig. 1 may include the sheet handling apparatus 2 as described above in its originally manufactured form. It will of course be understood that a TCR is referred to by way of example only, and the sheet-engaging device could of course be incorporated in any other kind of banknote handling machine. For example the sheet-engaging device could be incorporated in any kind of machine for handling documents of value. Documents of value may for example be cheques and/or cash. Such machines may include a counter, cash recycler, cash dispenser, cash deposit machine, ATM dispensing machine, recycling cassette, dispensing cassette, deposit cassette or sheet sorting machine comprising a sheet handling apparatus. It is also possible to modify an existing sheet handling apparatus (for example a sheet handling apparatus comprising a conventional packer plate) to include a packer device comprising a pressure distribution device according to the present invention. In this case, the packer device (or pressure distribution device) may be supplied independently of the rest of the machine to which it is to be fitted. For example, a TCR generally as shown in Fig. 1 but having a conventional rigid packer plate (without a pressure distribution device or movable stack engaging portions) may be modified to include a packer device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. That is a packer device incorporating the pressure distribution mechanism can be retrofitted into a TCR (or any other banknote handling machine) having a conventional packer plate The modified TCR then achieves the same beneficial effects described above in relation to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4.

The method of modifying an existing sheet handling apparatus may, for example, comprise attaching a pressure distribution device similar to that described above to a pre-existing mounting portion (or crossbar) that is already present in the sheet handling apparatus. For example this may be by way of a friction fit such as a snap-fit connection, or by any other fixing means e.g. screws or glue or any other adhesive. In this case, a pre-existing packer plate may be removed from the pre-existing mounting portion before the step of fitting the pressure distribution device to the sheet handling apparatus is carried out. Alternatively, the pressure distribution device may be attached to the pre-existing mounting portion with a pre-existing (but now redundant) packer plate remaining in place adjacent the pressure distribution device (as illustrated in Fig. 5).

The method of modifying an existing sheet handling apparatus may, alternatively, comprise attaching a pressure distribution device similar to that described above to a pre-existing packer plate connected to a pre-existing mounting portion, for example using a snap-fit connection, or by any other fixing means e.g. screws or glue or any other adhesive. In this case the preexisting (but now redundant) packer plate remains in place adjacent to the pressure distribution device. This is illustrated in Fig. 5 which shows a packer device 10 (incorporating a pressure distribution mechanism 20) adjacent to an existing and conventional packer plate 21. Once retro-fitted into the TCR (or any other banknote handling machine), the packer device 10 (including pressure distribution mechanism 20) is sandwiched between the existing packer plate 21 (when the existing packer plate is left in place) and the stack of banknotes in the TCR (when a stack is inserted therein). So, with reference to Figure 4 for example, once the pressure distribution mechanism 20 has been retro-fitted then an existing conventional packer plate will be positioned above the pressure distribution mechanism 20 (when viewing Figure 4). A gap also needs to be provided between the existing packer plate and the retro-fitted pressure distribution device so as to enable the pressure distribution device (or at least a part thereof) to move/deform so as to provide the pressure distribution functionality.

The method of modifying an existing sheet handling apparatus may, alternatively, comprise fitting a new packer device similar to that described above comprising its own mounting portion and a pressure distribution device connected to the mounting portion. In this case a pre-existing mounting portion of a pre-existing packer plate that is being replaced may be removed from the sheet handling apparatus before the step of fitting the pressure distribution device to the sheet handling apparatus is carried out.

The embodiment of Fig. 1 includes a fixed stack-engaging element and two rotatable stack engaging elements pivotally connected to a mounting portion via the fixed stack engaging element. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited, and that variations are possible which encompass the invention. Several further non-limiting exemplary embodiments are discussed below in relation to Figs. 7a to 7e.

Fig. 7a schematically illustrates a first alternative embodiment. In the first alternative embodiment, and compared to the embodiment of Figure 1, only one movable stack-engaging element (or wing) 1013 is included Therefore in this embodiment the pressure distribution device 1020 includes a fixed stack-engaging element 1012 that is fixed relative to the mounting portion 1011, and a single movable stack engaging element 1013 that is movable (in this case rotatable) relative to the fixed stack engaging element via hinge 1014a. The movable stack engaging element 1013 is rotatably connected to the fixed stack engaging element 1012, although the movable stack engaging element 1013 could equally be rotatably connected to the mounting portion 1011 independently of the fixed stack engaging element 1012. A leaf spring 1018 is arranged to impart a biasing force to the movable stack engaging element 1013, although a torsion spring, tension spring or compression spring could equally be used. The spring 1018 acts to bias the movable stack engaging element 1013 towards the separator device 1004 when unloaded (as shown in dashed lines). In use, the pressure distribution device 1020 may engage an uneven stack 1100, as shown in Fig. 7a. In this case, contact between the second face of the uneven stack 1100 and the movable stack engaging element 1013 may cause the movable stack engaging element 1013 to rotate relative to the fixed-element 1012, about hinge 1014a. In this way, the pressure distribution device 1020 can take account of variations in the height of the stack, and equalise the respective packing pressures across the second face of the stack.

Fig. 7b schematically illustrates a second alternative embodiment. In this embodiment a fixed element of the pressure distribution mechanism 2020 does not contact the stack 2100. Instead, the only stack engaging surface of the pressure distribution device 2020 is provided on a single rotatable stack engaging element 2013. The single movable stack engaging element 2013 is rotatably connected to the mounting portion 2011 by a hinge 2014, into which hinge 2014 an end of the stack-engaging element 2013 is located. A compression spring 2018 is used to impart a biasing force to the movable stack engaging element 2013, although a leaf spring or torsion spring could equally be used. The spring 2018 acts to bias the movable stack engaging element 2013 towards the separator device 2004 when unloaded (as shown in dashed lines). In use, the pressure distribution device 2020 may engage an uneven stack 2100, as shown in Fig. 7b. In this case, contact between the second face of the uneven stack 2100 and the movable stack engaging element 2013 may cause the movable stack engaging element 2013 to rotate about hinge 2014 relative to the mounting portion. In this way, the pressure distribution device 2020 can take account of variations in the height of the stack, and equalise the respective packing pressures across the second face of the stack. In a further variation, a single movable stack engaging element may instead be arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation at an intennediate position of the movable stack-engaging element, instead of at its edge.

Fig. 7c schematically illustrates a third alternative embodiment in which the pressure distribution device 3020 does not include any fixed stack-engaging element, but comprises first and second movable stack-engaging elements 3013a, 3013b that are each movable relative to the mounting portion 3011. In this embodiment, the movable stack engaging elements 3013a, 3013b take the form of cylindrical bars or arms (extending into the page as viewed in Fig. 7c) that provide the stack engaging surfaces of the pressure distribution device 3020. The pressure distribution device 3020 further comprises a coupling system that acts to move one of the first and second movable stack engaging elements 3013a, 3013b towards the separator device 3004 in response to the other one of the first and second movable stack engaging elements 3013a, 3013b being subject to a reaction force by contact with the stack. The coupling system comprises a link 3019 to which each of the first and second movable stack engaging elements are connected. In this embodiment the link 3019 is rigid. The rigid link 3019 has a curved shape and is connected to the mounting portion 3011 via a mount 3012. In use, the pressure distribution device 3020 may engage an uneven stack 3100, as shown in Fig. 7c. In this case, contact between the second face of the uneven stack 3100 and the movable stack engaging elements 3013a, 3013b may cause rigid link 3019 to slide relative to the mounting portion 3011 through the mount 3012. This causes the movable stack engaging elements 3013a, 3013b to move from the unloaded positions shown in dashes lines in Fig. 7c, for example, to the deflected positions shown in solid lines in Fig. 7c. In this way, the pressure distribution device 3020 can take account of variations in the height of the stack, and equalise the respective packing pressures across the second face of the stack.

Fig. 7d schematically illustrates a fourth alternative embodiment in which the pressure distribution device 4020 comprises a fixed stack-engaging element 4012 that is fixed relative to the mounting portion 4011, and first and second movable stack engaging elements 4013a, 4013b that are each movable relative to the fixed element 4012 (and consequently also movable relative to mounting portion 4011). The pressure distribution device 4020 comprises a coupling system that acts to move a first one of the first and second movable stack engaging elements 4013a, 4013b towards the separator device 4004 in response to the other one of the first and second movable stack engaging elements 4013a, 4013b being subject to a reaction force due to contact with the stack 4100. The coupling system comprises a rigid link 4019 to which the first and second movable stack engaging elements 4013 a, 4013b are rotatably connected. The rigid link 4019 is rotatably connected to the mounting portion 4011 via a mount 4023. In this example the stack-engaging elements are in the form of pendants which are rotatably attached to the rigid link 4019. In this example the pendants are triangular in shape, although of course in other embodiments other shapes may be provided. In use, the pressure distribution device 4020 may engage an uneven stack 4100, as shown in Fig 7d. In this case, contact between the second face of the uneven stack 4100 and the movable stack engaging elements 4013a, 4013b may cause rigid link 4019 to rotate relative to the mounting portion 4011 via mount 4023. Accordingly, in the example of Fig. 7d the movable stack engaging elements 4013b is caused to move towards the separator device 4004 in response to the other one of the stack engaging elements 4013a being subject to a reaction force in the opposite direction, due to contact with the stack 4100. In addition, each of the movable stack engaging elements 4013a, 4013b may rotate relative to the rigid link 4019 to ensure even contact of the elements 4013a, 4013b with the second face of the stack 4100. In this way, the pressure distribution device 4020 can take account of variations in the height of the stack, and equalise the respective packing pressures across the second face of the stack.

Fig. 7e schematically illustrates a fifth alternative embodiment in which the pressure distribution device 5020 does not include any fixed stack engaging element. In the embodiment of Figure 7e the pressure distribution device 5020 comprises first and second movable stack engaging elements 5013a, 5013b that are each movable relative to the mounting portion 5011. That is the stack-engaging elements 5013a, 5013b are independently movable relative to the mounting portion 5011. In this embodiment, the first and second movable stack engaging elements 5013a, 5013b are each connected for independent translational movement relative to the mounting portion 5011 and relative to the separator device 5004. To enable this, in this embodiment the elements 5013a and 5013b are mounted on respective first and second springs 5018a, 5018b. The first and second movable stack engaging elements 5013a, 5013b are also connected to the springs 5018a, 5018b to allow for rotational movement (in addition to translational movement) around articulated connections 5019a and 5019b to the springs 5018a and 5018b. In use, the pressure distribution device 5020 may engage an uneven stack 5100, as shown in Fig. 7e. In this case, the first and second movable stack engaging elements 5013a, 5013b may translate towards the mounting portion 5011 (and in a direction away from the separator device 5004) to different extents to take account of variations in the height of the stack, and to equalise the respective packing pressures across the second face of the stack.

Figures 9a to 9c show a progression as a stack of banknotes 900 is reduced in height as banknotes are fed out of a holder 903 by separator rollers 905a and 905b. The packer device is shown schematically at 910. In Figure 9a the stack 900 has a maximum height of hi. Due to variations in sheet thicknesses as previously discussed, the stack is slanted at an angle a relative to the packer device. In Fig. 9b some sheets or notes have been separated from the stack which now has a height h2. The height h2 is less than the height hi. It will also be noted that the slant of the stack with respect to the packer device 910 has changed to a different angle β. In this example the angle β is less than the angle a. However it will be appreciated that alternatively the slant angle could increase as the stack is depleted. Therefore it will be understood that the slant angle of the stack may vary as the height of the stack varies. This may be due to a varying distribution of different types of notes in the stack. In Fig. 9c the height of the stack has been further reduced to a height h3, which is less than height h2. In Fig. 9c the stack forms a slant angle γ with the packing device 910. It will be noted that the direction or orientation of the slant has varied between Fig. 9b and Fig. 9c. That is the stack is slanted in Fig. 9c in an opposite direction to the slant in Fig. 9b. Therefore it will be understood that a stack slant direction may vary as the stack height is varied. Embodiments of the present invention help to deal with these variations by enabling the sheet engaging or packer device stack-contacting surfaces to conform to a profile of the stack (e.g. a slant profile of a face of the stack facing the packer device) so as to equalise pressure distribution by the packing device on the stack.

It will be understood that whilst some of the Figures (e.g. Figs. 3a to 4, 7a to 7e and 9) have been drawn in profile view for ease of understanding, the device and associated mechanisms do of course extend in a direction in to the paper when viewing those Figures. Therefore it will be understood that, using Figure 3b as an example, the pressure distribution mechanism does not only apply pressure at points in a line from left to right across the stack 100 when viewing Fig. 3b (that is the long edge of the stack when in the orientation of Fig. 3b), but that pressure may also be applied on the stack at areas of the stack in to the paper (when viewing Figure 3b for example). That is the pressure distribution mechanism can distribute pressure over an area of a face of the stack, which area is defined by boundaries along both long-edge and short-edge directions of the stack.

It will be appreciated that further variations are also possible within the scope of the appended claims, and that a sheet handling apparatus according to the present invention may be employed in any type of banknote handling machine, or may be arranged for handling sheets other than banknotes.

Claims

1. A sheet engaging device comprising: a mounting portion; and a pressure distribution mechanism connected to the mounting portion and adapted to contact a face of a stack of sheets opposing the pressure distribution mechanism; the pressure distribution mechanism comprising at least one element movably mounted to the mounting portion and adapted to move in response to a reaction force between the at least one element and the stack of sheets at a first location on the stack of sheets, so as to cause the pressure distribution mechanism to apply a pressure at a second location on the stack of sheets so that pressures are applied by the pressure distribution mechanism at a plurality of locations on the face of the opposing stack of sheets.

2. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 1, adapted such that the pressures are applied by the pressure distribution mechanism at the plurality of locations dependent upon a height of the stack at those locations.

3. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pressure distribution mechanism is adapted to apply substantially equalised pressures at the plurality of locations.

4. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any preceding claim wherein the at least one element comprises a first element and a second element, the first element comprising a first stack-engaging surface for applying pressure at the first location and the second element comprising a second stack-engaging surface for applying pressure at the second location.

5. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the first element and the second element are connected to each other by a biasing means.

6. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the biasing means comprises at least one spring.

7. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the biasing means is configured to cause movement of one of the first element and the second element in response to movement of the other of the first element and second element.

8. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first element is connected to the mounting portion by a first hinge and the second element is connected to the mounting portion by a second hinge, so as to enable rotational movement of the first element and second element about the mounting portion.

9. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting portion comprises a fixed element of the pressure distribution mechanism.

10. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the mounting portion comprises a fixed element of the pressure distribution mechanism positioned between the first element and the second element.

11. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the fixed element comprises a fixed stack-engaging surface.

12. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one element is a single element.

13. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 12, comprising biasing means to bias the single element in a direction towards the stack of sheets.

14. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one element comprises a first element and a second element connected by a rigid link.

15. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the rigid link is slidably mounted to the mounting portion.

16. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the rigid link is pivotally mounted to the mounting portion.

17. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a linkage adapted to enable translational movement of the at least one element in a first direction towards the stack of sheets and in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

18. A sheet engaging device as set forth in claim 17, wherein the linkage comprises a spring.

19. A sheet engaging device as set forth in any preceding claim, the at least one element being movably mounted to the mounting portion so as to conform to a height profile of the opposing stack of sheets.

20. A roller assembly for a sheet handling apparatus, the roller assembly comprising: a rotatable shaft portion; at least one roller portion on the rotatable shaft portion for contacting a stack of sheets in the sheet handling apparatus; the roller assembly comprising at least one flexible portion to allow at least a portion of the roller assembly to flex in response to a force applied thereto by the stack of sheets and/or a sheet engaging device.

21. A roller assembly as set forth in claim 20, comprising two or more rollers spaced apart along the rotatable shaft portion.

22. A roller assembly as set forth in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the flexible portion is part of the rotatable shaft portion.

23. A sheet handling apparatus comprising: a holder for holding a stack of sheets; a separator device for separating sheets from a first face of a stack of sheets held in the holder; and a sheet engaging device as set forth in any of claims 1 to 19, the sheet engaging device being movable in a direction towards or away from the separator device.

24. A sheet handling apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein the separator device is arranged to separate sheets from the stack of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet engaging device is movable towards the separator device.

25. A sheet handling apparatus comprising: a holder for holding a stack of sheets; a separator device for separating sheets from a first face of a stack of sheets held in the holder, the separator device comprising a roller assembly as set forth in any of claims 20 to 22; and a sheet engaging device as set forth in any of claims 1 to 19, the sheet engaging device being movable in a direction towards the separator device.

26. A document handling machine comprising a sheet handling apparatus as set forth in any of claims 23 to 25.

27. A document handling machine as set forth in claim 26, adapted to handle one or more documents of value.

28. A sheet engaging device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

29. A roller assembly for a sheet handling apparatus substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

30. A sheet handling apparatus substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.