DEVICE FOR SANITIZING BANKNOTES

The present invention relates to a device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items (1) comprising: a container (2) where are defined an inlet (6) for inserting at least one banknote (S) or similar item into the container (2) and an outlet (7) for extracting at least one banknote (S) or similar item from the container (2); a first conveyor system (8) arranged in the container (2) and configured to convey at least one banknote (S) or similar item from the inlet (6) to a predetermined area between the inlet (6) and the outlet (7) picking said at least one banknote (S) or similar item at a first zone of said at least one banknote (S) or similar item; and a second conveyor system (15) arranged in the container (2) and configured to convey said at least one banknote (S) or similar item from said predetermined area to the outlet (7) picking said at least one banknote (S) or similar item at a second zone of said at least one banknote (S) or similar item, wherein said second zone is other than said first zone. Such a device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items (1) also comprises at least one first UVC ray emitter (24), or at least one first ozone lamp, arranged in the container (2) in such a way as to directly irradiate and sanitize, in use, the entire lower face of at least one banknote (S) or similar item conveyed from the inlet (6) to the outlet (7) by the first conveyor system (8) and the second conveyor system (15); and at least one second UVC ray emitter (26), or at least one second ozone lamp, arranged in the container (2) in such a way as to directly irradiate and sanitize, in use, the entire upper face of at least one banknote (S) or similar item conveyed from the inlet (6) to the outlet (7) by the first conveyor system (8) and the second conveyor system (15).

The present invention relates to a device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items.

A particularly deeply felt issue today derives from the need to manipulate banknotes to carry out payments.

Sometimes, in actual fact, cash payment is mandatory, as it is the only payment method allowed; this can happen, for example, when you have to or wish to buy a product or an item in a sales outlet without any devices suitable for receiving payments in other forms than cash, such as the so-called “POS” payment terminals, which allow payments to be made by electronic money, or by credit, debit or prepaid cards.

What has just been said may also apply to self-checkout machines without devices for payment by credit, debit or prepaid cards; in these cases, in order to pay the amount due, it is necessary to insert coins and/or banknotes in special slots provided in the self-checkout machine.

This determines a high risk, for users of physical money (e.g. banknotes and coins), of coming into contact with viruses and/or bacteria and/or spores and/or moulds and/or other pathogens that may be present on the surfaces of the banknotes and/or coins, which could affect the health of the users.

Devices for disinfecting, or sanitizing, banknotes are known, which however have a number of drawbacks and technical limitations mainly linked to the inadequately effective destruction of viruses and bacteria present on banknotes, and also to their structural complexity and, consequently, to their high manufacturing costs.

The object of the present invention is to solve the prior art issues referred to here above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items, which is particularly effective in destroying viruses and/or bacteria and/or spores and/or moulds and/or other pathogens found on the banknotes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items, which does not have a complex structure and which is easy and economical to make.

Therefore, a specific object of the present invention is a device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items as defined in claim1below.

Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

With reference to the accompanying figures,1indicates a device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items according to the present invention.

In particular, this device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items1comprises an external casing2consisting of a hollow base3, wherein a compartment4is defined, and a lid5namely a cover element that can be pressure-coupled to said base3in a removable way.

The aforementioned base3has, preferably but not limitedly, a substantially parallelepiped shape.

In two opposite faces of the base3there are an inlet opening6and an outlet opening7to allow for the introduction of banknotes S to be treated and the removal of treated banknotes S, respectively.

Inside the base3there is a first conveyor system8arranged adjacent to the inlet opening6and substantially at the same height as the latter.

The first conveyor system8comprises a pair of lower conveyor belts9a,9b, with synchronous movement, spaced out and parallel to each other and positioned so as to be parallel to the forward feeding direction D of the banknotes S inside the device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items1.

The conveyor belts of the pair of lower conveyor belts9a,9bare wound on a first shaft10and a second shaft11mounted, parallel to each other, inside the base3in a rotatable way around their respective axis and in an orthogonal direction to the aforementioned forward feeding direction D.

The first conveyor system8also comprises a pair of upper conveyor belts12a,12b, with synchronous movement, in a parallel direction to the forward direction D of the banknotes S and arranged at the same distance existing between the lower conveyor belts9a,9b.

The conveyor belts of the above-mentioned pair of upper conveyor belts12a,9bare, furthermore, wound on a third shaft13and a fourth shaft14mounted, parallel to each other, inside the base3in a rotatable way around their respective axis and in an orthogonal direction to the forward feeding direction D of the banknotes S inside the device for the sanitizing of banknotes and similar items1.

This pair of upper conveyor belts12a,12bis arranged above the aforementioned pair of lower conveyor belts9a,9bat a distance such as to allow the introduction, through the inlet opening6, and the passage of a banknote S in fully extended configuration, in the space between them.

In particular, the two conveyor belts12a,12bof the aforementioned pair of upper conveyor belts12a,12bare arranged in such positions as to match, respectively, the underlying conveyor belts9a,9bof the pair of lower conveyor belts9a,9b.

Downstream of the first conveyor system8, i.e. between this and the outlet opening7, a second conveyor system15is provided.

The second conveyor system15also comprises a pair of lower conveyor belts16a,16b, with synchronous movement, parallel to each other and oriented in a parallel direction to the aforementioned forward feeding direction D.

The lower conveyor belts16a,16bof the second conveyor system15are wound on the aforementioned second shaft11, in the space between the lower conveyor belts9a,9bof the first conveyor system8, and on a fifth shaft17mounted, parallel to the second shaft11, inside the base3in a rotatable manner around its axis and directed orthogonally to the forward feeding direction D of the banknotes S inside the device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items1.

Specifically, the first shaft10, the second shaft11and the fifth shaft17are located inside the base3substantially at the same height; this means that the upper surfaces of the pair of lower conveyor belts9a,9bof the first conveyor system8and of the pair of lower conveyor belts16a,16bof the second conveyor system15are substantially coplanar.

The second conveyor system15also comprises a pair of upper conveyor belts18a,18b, with synchronous movement, in a parallel direction to the forward direction D of the banknotes S and arranged at the same distance existing between the respective lower conveyor belts16a,16bunderlying them.

Furthermore, the upper conveyor belts18a,18bof the second conveyor system15are wound on the aforementioned fourth shaft14, in the space between the upper conveyor belts12a,12bof the first conveyor system8, and on a sixth shaft19mounted, parallel to the fourth shaft14, inside the base3in a rotatable manner around its axis and directed orthogonally to the aforementioned forward feeding direction D of the banknotes S.

This pair of upper conveyor belts18a,18bof the second conveyor system15is arranged above the related pair of lower conveyor belts16a,16bat a distance such as to allow the passage of a banknote S, in a fully extended configuration, in the space between them and the removal of said banknote S through the outlet opening7.

In particular, the upper conveyor belts18a,18bof the second conveyor system15are arranged in such positions as to match the underlying lower conveyor belts16a,16bof the same conveyor system15, respectively.

The third shaft13, the fourth shaft14and the sixth shaft19are located inside the base3substantially at the same height; this means that the lower surfaces of the pair of upper conveyor belts12a,12bof the first conveyor system8and of the pair of upper conveyor belts18a,18bof the second conveyor system15are substantially coplanar.

To drive the first conveyor system8and the second conveyor system15, a motor20is provided, arranged in proximity to the outlet opening7and connected, by means of a transmission belt21, to the fifth shaft17to allow the rotation of this shaft on its own axis and therefore the sliding, i.e. the forward feeding according to the aforementioned forward feeding direction D, of the pair of lower conveyor belts9a,9bof the first conveyor system8and of the pair of lower conveyor belts16a,16bof the second conveyor system15.

To transfer the drive from the two pairs of lower conveyor belts9a,9b,16a,16bto the two pairs of upper conveyor belts12a,12b,18a,18b, another transmission belt22is provided, mounted on the second shaft11and on the fourth shaft14, so as to transmit rotation from said second shaft11to said fourth shaft14when the former rotates on its respective axis.

Furthermore, on the inner side of the bottom23of the base3there is a first plurality of emitters of UVC rays24, i.e. type C ultraviolet rays, arranged in such a way as to substantially cover the entire longitudinal extension of the base3, i.e. the extension thereof according to the aforementioned forward direction D, and facing the two pairs of lower conveyor belts9a,9b,16a,16bso as to directly irradiate the lower exposed surfaces of the banknotes S passing through the first conveyor system8and the second conveyor system15, i.e. the lower surfaces of the same banknotes S not covered by said lower conveyor belts9a,9b,16a,16b.

Similarly, on the inner side of the upper wall25of the lid5there is a second plurality of emitters of UVC rays26, i.e. type C ultraviolet rays, arranged in such a way as to substantially cover the entire longitudinal extension of the lid5, i.e. the extension thereof according to the aforementioned forward direction D, and facing the two pairs of upper conveyor belts12a,12b,18a,18bwhen said lid5is applied on to the base3, so as to directly irradiate the upper exposed surfaces of the banknotes S passing through the first conveyor system8and the second conveyor system15, i.e. the upper surfaces of the same banknotes S not covered by said upper conveyor belts12a,12b,18a,18b.

As can be seen fromFIGS.5and6, during conveying of the banknote S by means of the first conveyor system8described above, the same banknote S is irradiated, from above and below, at its central strip not covered by the pair of upper conveyor belts12a,12band the pair of lower conveyor belts9a,9b.

When, on the other hand, the same banknote S is conveyed by the second conveyor system15, it is irradiated, from above and below, at two lateral longitudinal strips (externally to the pair of upper conveyor belts18a,18band to the pair of lower conveyor belts16a,16bof the second conveyor system15) and at a central longitudinal strip (comprised between the pair of upper conveyor belts18a,18band the pair of lower conveyor belts16a,16bof the second conveyor system15), i.e. at the strips not covered by the pair of upper conveyor belts18a,18band the pair of lower conveyor belts16a,16bof the second conveyor system15(seeFIGS.7and8).

Wanting to expand on the concept explained above, the first conveyor system8and the second conveyor system15are configured in such a way as to allow the conveying of banknotes S from the inlet opening6to the outlet opening7by making contact to, and therefore covering, different longitudinal areas or strips of the banknotes S so that during the passage of each banknote S through the first conveyor system8at least one upper longitudinal strip and the underlying at least one lower longitudinal strip of this banknote S are irradiated (seeFIGS.5and6) and that during its passage through the second conveyor system15all the remaining upper and lower longitudinal strips of the banknote S are irradiated (seeFIGS.7and8), so as to obtain total and direct irradiation thereof.

Optionally, a third plurality of UVC ray emitters27and a fourth plurality of UVC ray emitters28are provided on the inner faces of the two opposite sides of the base3not affected by the inlet opening6and the outlet opening7—respectively, both facing the first conveyor system8and the second conveyor system15and therefore also the side edges of the banknotes S passing through them.

At the inlet opening6there is an inlet sensor29(for example a presence sensor) suitable for detecting the insertion of the banknotes S through the same inlet opening6and operatively connected to the motor20and to the aforementioned four pluralities of UVC ray emitters24,26,27,28, so that when a banknote S is inserted through the inlet opening6(seeFIGS.3and4), this inlet sensor29transmits a signal for automatically controlling the activation of the motor20and the switching on of the four pluralities of UVC ray emitters24,26,27,28to allow direct and complete irradiation of the banknotes S during their transfer from inlet opening6to outlet opening7.

At the inlet opening7an inlet sensor30is provided instead (for example a presence sensor) suitable for detecting the banknotes S reaching the outlet opening7and also operatively connected to the motor20and to the aforementioned four pluralities of UVC ray emitters24,26,27,28, so that the same outlet sensor30transmits a signal for automatically controlling the deactivation of the motor20and the switching off of the four pluralities of UVC ray emitters24,26,27,28when the banknotes S reach the outlet opening7.

Optionally, a timer can be provided that is operatively connected to the output sensor30and operating in such a way as to control, in any case, the switching off of the four pluralities of UVC ray emitters24,26,27,28should the output sensor30not detect the presence of a banknote or similar item within a certain period of time from detection by the inlet sensor29.

Ozone lamps can be provided in place of or in addition to the first plurality of UVC ray emitters24and the second plurality of UVC ray emitters26, and the possible third plurality of UVC ray emitters27and fourth plurality of UVC ray emitters28.

To improve the conveying of the banknotes S through the first conveyor system8and the second conveyor system15, it is possible to provide a pressing system (not shown in the attached figures) acting on the two pairs of lower conveyor belts9a,9b,16a,16band/or on the two pairs of upper conveyor belts12a,12b,18a,18b, to help the adhesion of the same banknotes S to said conveyor belts and therefore their conveying.

According to a variant of the present invention not shown in the accompanying figures, in replacement of the two pairs of upper conveyor belts12a,12b,18a,18band of the relative shafts13,14,19it is possible to provide a plurality of idle rollers with horizontal rotation axis, possibly kept pushing against the underlying lower conveyor belts9a,9b,16a,16bby means of a thrust system acting downwards.

In this case, these idle rollers operate in such a way as to push the banknotes S towards the underlying lower conveyor belts9a,9b,16a,16b, ensuring adhesion to them and supporting their forward feeding, made possible thanks to the driving action of the same lower conveyors belts9a,9b,16a,16b.

According to another variant of the present invention not shown in the accompanying figures, in replacement of the two pairs of lower conveyor belts9a,9b,16a,16band of the related shafts10,11,17it is possible to provide a plurality of idle rollers with horizontal rotation axis, possibly kept pressurised on the overlying lower conveyor belts12a,12b,18a,18bby means of a thrust system acting from the bottom upwards.

In this case, these idle rollers operate in such a way as to push the banknotes S towards the overlying upper conveyor belts12a,12b,18a,18b, ensuring adhesion to them and supporting their forward feeding, made possible thanks to the driving action of the same upper conveyors belts12a,12b,18a,18b.

According to further embodiments of the present invention not shown in the accompanying figures, the two conveyor systems8,15described above might not be coplanar, but rather arranged one below or above the other, provided that during the entire pathway of the banknote S from the inlet6to the outlet7of the external envelope2, both the upper surface and the lower surface of the banknote S are entirely and directly irradiated.

As can be inferred from the above description, the device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items1, according to the present invention, allows complete sanitizing of the banknotes S to be obtained by direct irradiation of all the surfaces of the banknotes.

Furthermore, the structure of the aforementioned device for sanitizing banknotes and similar items1is not particularly complex and therefore can be implemented in a simple and economical way.

It is understood that the above has been described by way of non-limiting example, so that any construction variations should be considered as falling within the scope of the present technical solution, as described above and claimed below.