Patent GB-1325398-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for packing and dispensing thin objects
IPC: B65D75/52
Filed: 1971-12-10
Abstract: 1325398 Packaging sheets OMRON TATEISI ELECTRONICS CO 10 Dec 1971 [23 Dec 1970] 57425/71 Heading B8C [Also in Division G4] In apparatus for packing and dispensing articles, particularly banknotes, the articles are removed from a store, piled and arranged, and then the arranged pile is inserted between two sheets that are subsequently formed into an envelope enclosing the articles, the envelope being delivered to a predetermined place. The embodiment described is a credit-card freed banknote dispenser which is operable to dispense notes of three denominations from respective containers 119, 120, 121. The dispenser (Figs. 1 and 2, not shown) includes means for inputting the user's secret number and also the required value and denomination of notes. Alternatively the dispenser is programmed to dispense the least possible number of notes each denomination of note preferably being enclosed in a separate envelope. Notes are fed from the storage containers 119, 120, 121 by respective independently operable roller parts 122, 123, 124 and are fed by respective pairs of conveyer belts 4, 5 on to a belt 12. An overlying note detector (6) and single note counter (7) (Fig. 7, not shown) are provided for each pair of belts 4, 5, double notes being diverted by deflector plate 9 to receptacle 11. When the required number of notes to be enclosed in a single envelope has been counted on to the belt 12 this is moved to convey the notes on to a receiving plate 14 provided with bill arranging plates 13, 16. The plate 14 is vibrated vertically to facilitate the arranging operation. The arranged pile is gripped between solenoid operated jaws 17, 18 carried on shaft 21 and then stopper 70 is lowered and shaft 21 moved axially to insert the bills between upper and lower sheets fed from rolls 22, 23 over tension rollers 24 to 27. A support roller 28 mounted on a lever 79 is moved to the right (see also Fig. 9, not shown) to raise the upper sheet and enable ready insertion of the pile the leading edges of the sheets being held by a spring loaded plate 83 carried by a pressure head 81. The jaws 17, 18 are then opened and rotated through 90 degrees by motor 20 to withdraw them from between head 81 and support 37 and shaft 71 is returned to its normal position. With support roller 28 returned to the left head 81 and support 37 are urged together by drives 33, 34 to effect adhesion of the upper and lower sheets around the edges thereof. To this end the underside of head 81 is provided with a projection around its edges and the sheets are provided with pressure sensitive adhesive applied in such a pattern as to define a series of envelopes, or alternatively a heater may be provided in the head 81 for sealing thermoplastic sheets. Simultaneously with sealing of the envelope a pin head 82 is depressed to lower pins 80 and form perforations 56 in the lateral sides of the envelope. The heads 81, 82 and support 37 are then returned to their original positions and a sprocket wheel 39 is moved into engagement with the perforations 56 and rotated to transfer the envelope to a bed 50. If all the notes required in the transaction are enclosed in the one envelope then it is severed from the succeeding sheets by a guillotine 45 and fed by sprocket 48 and rollers 51, 52 to a shoot 53 leading to a delivery outlet. If more than one envelope is required for the transaction the envelopes are preferably kept together as a single strip. Fraud prevention.-In order that the number of notes contained in each envelope may be readily ascertained one corner (58) (Fig. 3, not shown) of the envelope is left unsealed leaving an opening through which the notes may be counted but not removed without tearing the envelope. A printing unit 47 marks the first and last envelope of each strip at (117), (118) (Fig. 5, not shown) and prints the amount contained in each envelope, the total amount required, customer data and a serial number on the envelope.