Abstract:
A stack of sheet-type objects are bundled while supported on a support plate. A banding strip is guided in a channel formed in the plate. The support plate can be pushed through a shaft that is formed by a pair of spaced sidewalls. A tongue is displaceable between an extended position, in which it separates the channel from the surface of the supporting plate, and a withdrawn position in which the channel is placed in an open position with respect to the surface of the supporting plate. A spring is used to hold the banding strip in contact with an underside of the stack of sheet-type objects.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to devices and to a method for bundling a stack of sheet-like objects, in particular bank notes. The stack of objects to be banded is placed on a support plate. A banding strip crosses between the surface of the support plate and an underside of the stack. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a prior device, a stack is created with the aid of a paddle wheel, whose paddles unload the objects to be stacked singly on the feed plate or the stack. Such a device is particularly suitable for use in connection with a money counting machine, and specifically for the automatic counting and wrapping of used bank notes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is directed to providing devices and a method for bundling a stack of sheet-like, objects, in particular bank notes. 
     In accordance with the present invention, this object is attained by placing the stack of objects on a support plate that is provided with a channel. A banding strip is pushed through the channel beneath the stack of objects. The support plate can be pushed into a chute formed between lateral walls. This folds the banding strip over against the lateral faces of the walls and against the side faces of the stack. At least one spring device is usable to press the banding strip against the underside of the stack while it is sitting on the support plate. Movable actuations are used to compress the stack and to move a heatable die to a sealing location. 
     The advantages which can be obtained by the present invention consist, in particular, in that by use of the device, it is possible to rapidly and simply bundle bank notes, which are provided in the form of stacks containing a known number of bank notes. For this reason, the device is particularly suited for use in connection with a bank note printing and cutting machine, which machine delivers printed bank notes in the form of such stacks. 
     For wrapping such a stack with a banding strip, it is initially necessary to place the stack transversely over the banding strip. It is desirable to be able to do this by simply pushing the stack on a support. However, in the course of pushing the stack on a support, the problem arises that the stack has a tendency to push a previously placed banding strip aside. Pushing the banding strip under the stack is then not possible. 
     If an embedded channel for the banding strip is provided on the support plate, such as is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,218, a banding strip, which is situated in the channel, cannot be displaced by a stack being pushed on top of it. It can be possible to push the banding strip through the channel after the stack has been placed on the support plate. However, the problem arises that at least the lowest bank notes get caught in the channel in the course of being pushed over the channel or become damaged. 
     These problems can be prevented by the provision of a tongue which can be displaced between an extended position, in which it separates the channel from the surface of the support plate and lets the stack be pushed over the channel, and a retracted position, in which the channel is open toward the surface of the support plate. A banding strip can be placed into the open channel and can be wrapped around the stack. 
     A spring element is preferably provided for pressing the banding strip against the underside of a stack which is resting on the support plate. This spring element can be displaced by the tongue in such a way that, in the extended position of the tongue, the spring leaves the channel open for the passage of the banding strip, so that the banding strip can be pushed into the channel without a noticeable resistance. The banding strip is only pressed against the underside of the stack in the retracted state of the tongue. The wrapping of the banding strip around the stack can take place. The spring is used to assure that the banding strip rests against the underside and the sides of the stack substantially without play. 
     To displace the spring element out of the channel in the extended state of the tongue, the tongue preferably has at least one elongated fin. 
     A first actuator is provided for pushing a stack into the chute. It preferably consists of a pressing element for pressing against the surface of the stack, so that the latter can be compressed prior to bundling. A central opening for the passage of a tool for connecting the ends of the banding strip is provided in the pressing element. 
     This tool can be a a heated die. The heated die can be pressed against. the ends of the banding strip for melting a heat-sealing adhesive applied to one end of the banding strip in order to connect the one end of the banding strip in this way with the opposite end of the banding strip. 
     A second actuator can be provided for pushing the bundled stack out of the chute. The second actuator is preferably usefully equipped with an arresting device for arresting the support plate at a predetermined depth of the chute. The arresting device makes it possible to exert a considerable pressure on the stack by operation of the first actuator and to compress the stack in this way to a preselected uniform height. Furthermore, a solid counterpressure is generated in the course of displacing the banding strip by the use of the heating die. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in what follows. 
     Shown are in: 
     FIG. 1, a side elevation view, partly in cross-section through a device in accordance with the present invention taken parallel with the conveying direction of the banding strip in a first stage of the operating process of the device, in 
     FIG. 2, a side elevation view, partly in cross-section through the device shown in FIG.  1  and taken in a conveying direction of the bank notes extending vertically in respect to the conveying direction of the banding strip, in 
     FIG. 3, a side elevation view analogous to the one in FIG.  2  through the device in a second stage of its operating process, in 
     FIG. 4, a side elevation view analogous to the one in FIG. 3 in a third stage of the operating process, in 
     FIG. 5, a side elevation view analogous to the one in FIG. 1 in a fourth stage of the operating process, in 
     FIG. 6, a side elevation view, again analogous to the one in FIG. 2 in a fifth stage, and in 
     FIG. 7, a detail of a modification of the device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIGS. 1 and 2 the device for bundling a stack of sheet-type objects in accordance with the present invention is represented in a first stage of its operating process. These two drawings depict two steps in the method of the present invention and are taken along vertical planes extending perpendicularly in respect to each other. 
     FIG. 1 shows the device for banding a stack of sheet-type objects in a first side elevation view taken parallel with the conveying direction of a banding strip  01 , which is intended to be used for bundling bank note stacks  02 . The banding strip  01  is conveyed from a supply roll  03  onto a work table  04 , into which a vertically movable support plate  06  has been integrated. For the sake of clarity, specific mechanisms for conveying the banding strip  01  are not represented in FIG.  1 . As can be better seen in the side elevation view in FIG. 2, which view extends parallel to the conveying direction of the stack  02 , a channel  07  runs in the conveying direction of the banding strip  01  and transversely across the support plate  06 . A spring arrangement, in this case a leaf spring  08 , is mounted on the bottom of the channel  07  and rises in the conveying direction of the banding strip  01 , i.e. from the right to the left in FIG. 1. A rigid tongue  09 , here in the form of a rectangular tube or of a C-profile, having two downwardly extending elongated fins  11 , is displaceably arranged in the upper area of the channel  07 . The displacement of the tongue  09  is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder  12 . 
     In the operational phase of the embodiment of the invention represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tongue  09  extends over the width of the support plate  06  and past both sides of support plate  06  onto the work table  04 . The fins  11  of tongue  09  keep the leaf spring  08  pushed down, so that the banding strip  01 , coming from the supply roll  03 , can be pushed through the channel  07  as far as the opposite side of the work table  04  and into its position represented in FIG. 1 without encountering resistance or running the danger of becoming stuck. 
     The banding strip  01  is provided with markers and with a partial adhesive application at regular intervals. The distance or spacing of the markers from each other along the strip  01  has been selected in accordance with the format of the bank notes to be provided with the banding strip and also in accordance with the number of bank notes which should be contained in a stack  02 . A reading device  14  for the markers is arranged at a location which can be selected freely to the greatest extent along the path of the banding strip  01  from the supply roll  03  to the support plate  06  reading device  14  is used to monitor the conveying of the banding strip  01  and to stop the conveyance of the banding strip  01  after the length required for bundling a stack  02  has been pulled off supply roll  03 . Depending on the type of markers, such as imprint, window, or the like, the reading device  14  can be designed as a camera, a photoelectric barrier or the like. As an alternative to the reading device  14 , a sensor  15 , which is indicated by dashed lines, and which is usable for detecting the leading end of the banding strip  01  and for stopping the conveying of the strip  01  when this end has been detected, could also be provided on the part of the conveyance path of the banding strip  01  that is located on the side of the support plate  06  opposite to the reading device  14 . By displacing this sensor  15  along the conveying path, the length of the banding strip  01  to be conveyed for any of the stacks  02  to be bundled could be set. 
     A cutting device  16  is provided and is operated in response to the reading device  14 , or the sensor  15 , for cutting the banding strip  01  each time its intended length has been conveyed. 
     As can be seen by referring in particular to the partial enlargement shown in FIG. 2, as accented by a surrounding dashed circle, the top of the tongue  09  is flush with a top surface of the support plate  06  surrounding it. When the stack  02  is pushed by a stack pusher  13  from the position indicated in FIG. 2 onto the support plate  06 , the lowermost bank notes in the stack  02  slide over the edges of the support plate  06  and the tongue  09  without being squashed or bent. 
     FIG. 3 shows a second stage of the operating cycle of the device for banding stacks of sheet-type objects in a view analogous to that of FIG.  2 . By use of the stack pusher  13 , the stack  02  of bank notes has been exactly positioned on the support plate  06 , the dimensions of which support plate  06 —at least in the direction of extension of the banding strip  01 —correspond to those of the bank notes in the stack  02 . The tongue  09  has now been retracted from its position represented in FIG. 1, in which it has entered the channel  07 , so that it no longer touches the bank notes of the stack  02 . This allows the leaf spring  08  to pivot upwards and to clamp the banding strip  01  against the underside of the stack  02 . 
     A linearly displaceable upper or pressing actuator  17 , in the form of a pneumatic cylinder, has been mounted above the support plate  06  and above the stack  02  lying on support plate  06 . Upper actuator  17  supports a vertically movable pressing element  18 . The pressing element  18  is comprised of two contact feet  19 , which are intended to be pressed against the top of the stack  02  during the vertical movement of the first or pressing actuator  17 . Pressing element  18  also includes a heatable die  22  situated in a gap  21  between the contact feet  19 . With the aid of a third or die actuator  23 , the heatable die  22  can be moved between a downward engaged position represented in FIG. 3, in which it is flush with the underside of the contact feet  19 , and an upward retracted position, in which it substantially clears the gap  21 . 
     The support plate  06  is also supported by its own actuator  24 , here called a second or plate actuator  24 , which makes possible a vertical movement of the support plate  06  between the position indicated in FIG. 3, in which the surface of the support plate  06  is flush with that of the work table  04 , and a position wherein support plate is lowered into a chute  26  that is located underneath the work surface  04 . 
     The lower or plate actuator  24  can also be provided as a pneumatic cylinder. If plate actuator  24  has a narrower piston cross section than the upper or pressing actuator  17 , it is possible, by connecting the two actuators  17 ,  24  with an identical supply pressure, to clamp the stack  02  with a force proportional to the cross-sectional difference between the actuators  17  and  24  and simultaneously to push the stack  02 , together with the support plate  06 , into the chute  26 . 
     FIG. 4 shows the device for banding stacks of sheet-type objects in accordance with the present invention in a third-stage of its operating cycle. Here the pressing element  18  has been lowered and the stack  02 , which is clamped between the pressing element  18  and the support plate  06 , has been compressed to a predetermined thickness. By pushing the stack  02  into the chute  26 , end sections  28  of the banding strip  01  projecting on both sides past the stack  02  are bent upward at the lateral walls  27 , as seen in FIG. 1, of the chute  26  and project up past the top of the stack  02 . 
     In this state at the latest, the heatable die  22  is lifted for clearing the gap  21 , and two lateral pushers  29 ,  31 , which are represented in FIG.  1  and in FIG. 5, become active one after the other. Each of the pushers  29 ,  31  has an arm  32 ,  33 , which can be pushed into the gap  21 , and a fourth or pusher actuator  34  for driving the movement of the arms. By pushing the arms  32 ,  33  one after the other into the gap  21 , the upper ends of the two end sections  28  of a section of the banding strip  01  are bent over onto the top of the stack  02 , so that they come to rest on top of each other. The partial adhesive application on the banding strip  01  has preferably been placed on the top of the first folded-over end section  28 . 
     After the two arms  32 ,  33  have left the gap  21  again, the heatable die  22 , which in FIG. 5 has been pulled upward out of the gap  21  and is therefore not visible, is lowered. Heatable die  22  is used for melting the adhesive application on banding strip  01  and to connect the two ends of the banding strip  01  in this way. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the support plate  06  now returns to its raised position, in which it is flush with the work table  04 . The pressing element  18  is simultaneously lifted to release the bundled stack  02 . The now banded stack  02  is then pushed onto a conveyor belt  36  with the aid of a pusher  13 , and a fresh stack  02  takes its place. Various modification of the device and its operating process are possible. 
     It is unimportant, for the functioning of the device, whether, at the start of processing a stack  02 , the banding strip  01  is first inserted into the channel  07 , or the stack  02  is first placed on the support plate  06 . 
     As represented by use of the example of the arm  33  in FIG. 5, the arm  32 ,  33  pushed into the gap  21  can be a rigid body with a sharp edge, which edge interacts with the banding strip end section  28  for creating a sharp bend in the banding strip end section  28  or, as shown by way of the example of the arm  32 , can have a roller or cylinder at its end. This roller or cylinder can be provided at the strip engaging end of the arms  32  or  33  in order to prevent any danger that the upper bank notes in the stack  02  may slip in the course of the insertion of the arms  32 ,  33  into the gap  21 . 
     The lower or plate actuator  24  can be provided with an arresting device  37 , which is usable to keep the support plate  06  immovably fixed in one or in a selected one of several positions, and in particular in the lowered position represented in FIGS. 4 and 5. A considerable pressure can possibly be exerted by the first actuator  17 , which pressure is required to produce the desired thickness of the stack  02  and in this way to assure the unhampered introduction of the arms  32 ,  33  into the gap  21  and to thus insure a tight bundling of the bank notes. 
     In connection with the embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 to  6 , it has been assumed that the finished bundled stack  02  is put out on the same level of the work table  04  to which a stack  02  to be bundled is supplied. In order to make possible, with such a construction, the reintroduction of the tongue  09  into the channel  07  of the support plate  06  after the bundled stack  02  has been pushed out, it may be practical for a front or leading end  38  of the tongue  09  to be beveled, as shown in FIG.  7 . When the tongue  09  is reinserted into the channel  07 , it can displace the leaf spring  08  downward. 
     Alternatively, following the pushing-out of the stack  02 , there is also the possibility of again lowering the support plate  06  sufficiently so that the tongue  09  can be brought into its extended position represented in FIG. 1, and to then lift the support plate  06 , so that the leaf spring  08  is compressed by its contact with the underside of the fins  11 . 
     A further option, which is not specifically represented in the drawings, consists in arranging the conveyor belt  36  on a level below that of the work table  04 . In this arrangement, when the support plate  06  has reached the level of the work table  04 , and after pushing out the stack  02 , work table  04  is already empty and therefore the leaf spring  08  can be compressed by the tongue  09  which is already in the extended position. 
     The leaf spring  08  can be replaced by a helical spring with a cover plate, or with any other suitable type of spring element. 
     In place of the leaf spring  08 , the support plate  06  can also have resilient elements next to the tongue  09  on its side facing the stack  02 . In this way, the resilient elements constitute a channel for extending the tongue  09  and hold the stack  02 . After the banding strip  01  has been inserted, the tongue  09  is retracted and the stack  02  is compressed by the support plate  06 , so that the banding strip  01  is held by the stack  02 . 
     While preferred embodiments of devices and a method for bundling a stack of sheet-like objects, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that changes in for example the printing press used to form the sheet-like objects, the conveying assembly used to convey the bundled stacks and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the following claims. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       01  Banding strip 
       02  Stack 
       03  Supply roll 
       04  Work table 
       05  - 
       06  Support plate 
       07  Channel 
       08  Leaf spring 
       09  Tongue 
       10  - 
       11  Fin 
       12  Pneumatic cylinder 
       13  Pusher 
       14  Reading device 
       15  Sensor 
       16  Cutting device 
       17  Actuator, first, upper 
       18  Pressing element 
       19  Contact feet 
       20  - 
       21  Gap 
       22  Heatable die 
       23  Actuator, third 
       24  Actuator, second, lower 
       25  - 
       26  Chute 
       27  Lateral wall 
       28  End sections 
       29  Pusher 
       30  - 
       31  Pusher 
       32  Arm 
       33  Arm 
       34  Actuator, fourth 
       35  - 
       36  Conveyor belt 
       37  Arresting device 
       38  End, front