SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING SHEET-LIKE OBJECTS

Abstract: A system for conveying sheet-like objects, in particular banknotes, comprises a cash dispensing unit, a number of cash dispensing stations and an control unit. A conveying channel having an inlet side and an outlet side is disposed between the cash dispensing unit and each cash dispensing stations, with means for generating an air flow being present in each conveying channel. An enveloping device for enveloping the objects to be conveyed is disposed between the cash dispensing unit and the conveying channel(s). The cash dispensing unit delivers banknotes requested by a cash dispensing station to the enveloping device under the control of the control unit, which enveloping device envelopes the banknotes requested by a cash dispensing station and delivers the envelope to a unit for delivering the envelope containing banknotes to a conveying channel.

Description: System and method for conveying sheet-like objects The invention relates to a system for conveying sheet- like objects in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a method for conveying sheet-like objects in accordance with the preamble of claim 7. Systems and methods of this kind are known in several embodiments, see for example EP-A-0 690 423. In the prior art conveying systems, which are usually referred to as pneumatic conveyor systems, the sheet-like objects to be conveyed are put into a so-called cartridge, in which they are transported through the conveying channel. Although the objects can thus be transported in a reliable manner by the conveying system, the use of cartridges has several drawbacks . In the case of automated systems, for example, relatively complex installations are needed for putting the sheet-like objects into a cartridge. Furthermore the speed at which a cartridge moves through the conveying channel is relatively low. In addition, return transport is necessary at all times in order to return the cartridges to the starting point. The object of the invention is to provide a system and method of the kind referred to in the introduction, wherein the use of cartridges can be avoided. In order to accomplish that objective, the system and the method according to the invention are characterized by the characterizing aspects of claims 1 and 7, respectively. Thus a system and a method are obtained wherein the objects no longer need to be put into a cartridge and the enveloped objects are directly delivered to the conveying channel, floating freely, as it were, through the conveying channel towards the outlet side. This makes the system as disclosed herein very user-friendly. Return transport of empty cartridges is not necessary. The velocity at which the envelopes are transported is very high, so that the system has a high capacity. The transport of cash within a bank building can be automated practically completely, with the additional advantage that no cash needs to be present at the cash dispensing stations. This means a considerable improvement as regards security. It is noted that the term "cash dispensing stations" is understood to include a cashier/teller station at the counter as well as an automatic cash dispensing machine. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows an embodiment of the system for conveying banknotes . The system as shown comprises a cash dispensing unit 1 or cash dispenser, a number of cash dispensing stations 2, 3 and a control unit 4. The cash dispensing stations 2 are cashier/teller stations at a counter in a bank building, whilst the cash dispensing stations 3 are automatic cash dispensing machines. A conveying channel 5 indicated by a line is disposed between each cash dispensing station 2, 3 and the cash dispensing unit 1, which channel functions to transport banknotes (not shown) from the cash dispensing unit 1 to a cash dispensing station 2 which has sent a request for cash to unit 1. Disposed between the cash dispensing unit 1 and the inlet side of the conveying channels are an enveloping device 6 and a selecting unit 7. When a cash dispensing station 2, 3 makes a request for an amount in banknotes in the system disclosed herein, the control unit 4 signals this to the cash dispensing unit 1, which delivers the requested amount in the requested form to the enveloping device 6. The enveloping device 6 envelopes the banknotes and subsequently delivers the envelopes to the selecting unit 7. The selecting unit 7 is so controlled by the control unit 4 that the envelope containing the banknotes is delivered to the conveying channel 5, which is connected to the cash dispensing station 2, 3. Connected to conveying channels 5 is a pump 8 (schematically indicated) , which generates an air flow in the conveying channel 5, so that the envelope is transported, floating freely in the channel, to the cash dispensing station 2,3 that has issued the request. The envelope is delivered at the cash dispensing station in question, where the envelope can be removed automatically, if desired. It is noted that the envelope enables the user of the system to supply the customer with current general information, personal information or commercial information and the like. The conveying channels 5 can be arranged in various ways. Possible embodiments of the conveying channels are disclosed in the applicant's Dutch patent application No. 1010748, which is considered to be incorporated herein by reference. The use of such channels is conducive to the freely floating movement of the envelopes containing banknotes. According to an advantageous embodiment, in order to improve the transport of the envelopes through the conveying channels 5, the enveloping device 6 may be so arranged that the envelopes, which are generally substantially rectangular, comprise a folded-back portion at a short end edge on at least one side. Said folded-back portion forms a semi-arrow with a principal plane of the envelope, as it were, which is conducive to the transport under the influence of the air flow. It is also possible to form the envelope with a folded- back portion on both sides, so that the envelope is in the form of an arrow, seen in side elevation. The transport of the envelope can take place with the arrow pointing forwards or backwards . Furthermore it is possible to construct the enveloping device 6 so that a longitudinal strip is formed on one long side or one both long sides of the rectangular envelope, which strip projects with respect to the banknotes. Such a longitudinal strip enlarges the surface area of the envelope. The method disclosed herein for conveying sheet -like objects by means of the system disclosed herein has the advantage that there is no need to use cartridges. This enables the use of relatively simple apparatus and eliminates the need to return empty cartridges . The transport of the banknotes through the conveying channels 5 can take place at a higher velocity than in a system which employs cartridges. The control unit 4 may include detection means 9, 10 (schematically indicated) , which monitor the in-feed and the delivery at, respectively, the inlet side and the outlet side of each conveying channel 5. This enables immediate detection of possible fraud, and also of any malfunctions. The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments, which can be varied in several ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A system for conveying sheet-like objects, in particular banknotes, comprising a cash dispensing unit, a number of cash dispensing stations and a control unit, with a conveying channel having an inlet side and an outlet side being disposed between said cash dispensing unit and each cash dispensing station, as well as means for generating an air flow in each conveying channel, characterized in that an enveloping device for enveloping the objects to be conveyed is disposed between the cash dispensing unit and the conveying channel (s), wherein the cash dispensing unit is capable of delivering banknotes requested by a cash dispensing station to the enveloping device under the control of said control unit, which enveloping device envelopes the banknotes requested by a cash dispensing station and delivers the envelope to a unit for delivering the envelope containing banknotes to a conveying channel . 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery unit is in the form of a selection unit, which is capable of delivering the envelope containing banknotes to the conveying channel associated with the requesting cash dispensing station. 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein at least one dispensing station is in the form of an automatic cash dispensing machine. 4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enveloping device is arranged for forming a folded-back portion at one end of the envelope being formed, at least on one side thereof. 5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enveloping device is arranged for forming a folded-back portion on both long sides of the banknotes, which projects with respect to the banknotes. 6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the/each conveying channel is of substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein the opposed inner walls having the larger dimension comprise means which influence the air flow generated in the conveying channel near the inner walls in such a manner that an air flow away from the inner wall in question is produced near each of said inner walls. 7. A method for conveying sheet-like objects, in particular banknotes, wherein banknotes are conveyed from a cash dispensing unit to a number of cash dispensing stations, wherein a conveying channel is disposed between said cash dispensing unit and each cash dispensing station, wherein banknotes are requested from the cash dispensing unit by a cash dispensing station, characterized in that the banknotes are enveloped and conveyed in the envelope through a conveying channel by means of an air flow. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein a folded-back portion at one end of the envelope being formed, at least on one side thereof. 9. A method according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein a longitudinal strip is formed on both long sides of the banknotes, which strip projects with respect to the banknotes.

Inventors: RIJKEN JACOBUS, RIJKEN, JACOBUS
Applicants: ERGOFLOW B V, RIJKEN JACOBUS, ERGOFLOW B.V., RIJKEN, JACOBUS
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65H5
IPC codes: B65G51, B65H5, G07D11