Patent Abstract:
An efficient and relatively easily manufactured sorting device for separating duplicated banknotes includes a resistant guide unit for initially contacting the banknotes and a rotatable driving unit having a higher friction surface that is positioned downstream of the resistant guide unit for subsequently pulling the banknote from the resistance guide unit whereby a duplicated banknote will be separated. The sorting device can be installed in a dispensing device for storing banknotes and can be positioned in a recycle passageway wherein banknotes can be aligned by an arraying device prior to submission to the sorting device. The resistance guide unit can include a pair of eccentrically mounted fixed curved surface members. A second rotatable roller can be in contact with the rotatable driving roller to form a nipping section downstream of the initial banknote contact with the resistance guide unit.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention is directed to an improvement in automatic dispensing of stored bills, and more particularly the dispensing of only one bill at a time from a stack of bills with the assistance of a sorting device.  
           [0003]    2. Background of the Invention  
           [0004]    Examples of various forms of bill dispensing devices can be found, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,625,870, 4,795,889, and 5,553,320.  
           [0005]    A compact banknote dispensing device is shown in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 54-49475. FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose features relevant to that reference. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a stack of bills, such as banknotes B, can be supported at a dispensing station or base  505 , and a mechanism can be used to bias the banknotes B for contact with a rotatable pickup roller  501 . The banknote B is then directed to a feed roller  503  that can have a central groove  502 . Fixed gate rollers  504  are positioned to be aligned within the concave grooves  502 . When the banknote B is dispensed, the pickup roller  501  and the feed roller  503  cooperate to direct the banknote B in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 7. The banknote B is drawn downward and is transported by the feed roller  503 . A front surface of the banknote B is drawn by the feed roller  503 , however, the rear surface is faced with a breaking action by the fixed gate rollers  504 . The banknote B is dispensed by the feed roller  503 . If accidentally, a pair of banknotes B are simultaneously released from the base of  505 , the front banknote B which has contact with the feed roller  503  will be dispensed. However, the rear banknote which is in contact with the fixed gate roller  504  will be braked and held back so that only one banknote is dispensed.  
           [0006]    This problem of duplication of banknotes sometime occurs, because banknotes B are forcibly transported between the feed roller  503  and the fixed gate roller  504 . In order to increase the braking forces, the fixed gate roller  504  is located deep within the position of the concave groove  502  to prevent a dispensing of duplicate banknotes. In this arrangement, the friction which is produced from the fixed gate roller  504  on the banknote B becomes larger and helps to prevent the dispensing of a duplicate banknote B. A problem can occur, however, since a precise precision alignment and adjustment of the fixed gate rollers  504  can become difficult and requires substantial service time. Additionally, when the friction increases, the transporting speed of the banknote B will be correspondingly slowed down.  
           [0007]    Thus, the prior art is still seeking to optimize a fast and efficient dispensing of banknotes while preventing erroneous duplication of banknotes in the dispensing operation.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is directed to a more efficient manner of separating stacked bills, and more particularly provides an apparatus for properly aligning bills and sorting duplicated bills that have been dispensed from a stack of bills.  
           [0009]    A dispensing device for storing banknotes in a storage unit and for dispensing banknotes to a user through a discharge slot is provided with a transporting unit for transporting a banknote to be discharged from the stack of banknotes along a first passageway to a discharge slot. A monitor unit can be operatively positioned relative to the first passageway to monitor a condition of the transported banknote and to provide appropriate control signals. A diverting unit operatively connected to the monitoring unit can remove banknotes from the first passageway when the monitoring unit indicates at least a duplicated banknote has passed the monitoring unit. A second passageway can recycle the duplicated banknotes to a sorting device that can include a resistance guide unit to initially contact the duplicated banknotes and direct them to a rotatable driving roller having a higher friction surface that subsequently contacts the duplicated banknote to provide a separation of the duplicated banknotes. The resistance guide unit can be a pair of curved surfaces that sandwich the rotatable driving roller and can be eccentrically mounted on the same axis as the rotatable driving roller. The resistance guide unit can comprise larger diameter rollers that can be adjustably fixed about the rotatable driving roller. A second movable roller can contact the surface of the rotatable driving roller to form a nipping section which is downstream from the initial contact of the duplicate banknotes with the resistance guide unit.  
           [0010]    An arraying device can bias a banknote for contact with a rotatable flexible roller that is driven through a friction clutch. The friction clutch is set to prevent any damage to the banknotes, while the flexible roller has a slanting surface to assist in directing and aligning the banknotes prior to introduction of the banknotes to the sorting device.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a banknote dispensing device of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second arraying device;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the second arraying roller;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a one by one let off device;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rollers;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic control diagram;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a prior art dispenser roller arrangement;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a front view of a prior art dispenser roller arrangement.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and user the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an automatic bill dispensing apparatus with a sorting device.  
         [0021]    An embodiment of the banknote dispensing device which is attached to a sheet dispensing device of the present invention is explained by referring to FIG. 1. The banknote dispensing device  1  includes a safe  2 , a let off device  3 , a transporting device  4 , a banknote dispensing slot  5 , a diverting device  6 , a recycling passageway  7 , a recycling device  8 , and a checking device  9 .  
         [0022]    As can be appreciated, the term “bill” or “banknote” has been used generically to define a flat sheet usually of paper or a composite material which can be stacked in an array for storage and dispensed, for example, from a cash dispensing machine. Thus, the term “bill” or “banknote” can embrace a sheet, check, certificate, coupon ticket, exchange ticket, or various types of monetary instruments.  
         [0023]    Safe  2  is box-like in shape and is arranged in a storing section  11  of the dispensing body  10 . A transporting device  4  transports a banknote B which is let off from safe  2  to a banknote dispensing slot  5  in response to a dispensing signal and includes a first transporting device  14  which is located along one side of storing section  11  and a second transporting device  15  which is located over the storing section  11 .  
         [0024]    The first transporting device  14  transports a banknote B in a vertical direction. A storing device  16  can temporarily store a banknote B which is received from the first transporting device  14  in a horizontal level section adjacent the dispensing slot  5 . A recycling passageway  7  is located between the storing section  11  and the first transporting device  14 , and extends parallel to the first transporting device  14  which is vertically aligned on one side of the dispensing device.  
         [0025]    A diverting device  6  is located between the first transporting device  14  and the second transporting device  15  and can divert banknotes B to one of the second transporting device  15  or to the recycling passageway  7 . Let off device  3  for the banknotes B is located at the bottom of safe  2  and is driven by driving device  17  which is located in body  10 .  
         [0026]    First transporting device  14  includes a first transporting roller  18  which is located adjacent to a receiving slot  19  beside storing section  11 . First press roller  20  of first transporting roller  18  has a small diameter and is resiliently pressed against the first roller  21  which has a larger diameter. First gear  22  is fixed at a side surface of first roller  21 .  
         [0027]    Second transporting roller  23  is located above first transporting roller  18  on one side. Second press roller  24  of second transporting roller  23  has a resiliently contact with second roller  25 . Second gear  26  is fixed at the side surface of second roller  25 .  
         [0028]    Third transporting roller  27  is located over the second transporting roller  23  and is located above the storing section  11 . Third transporting roller  27  includes a third roller  28  which has a large diameter, a third press roller  29  which has contact with the upper section of the center of third roller  28  and a fourth press roller  31 .  
         [0029]    First guiding board  32  is located between second roller  25  and third roller  28 . Second guide board  33  is plate like in shape and is located at a predetermined position which is away from the first guiding board surface  34 . First transporting passageway  35  extends between first guide board surface  34  and second guiding board  33 .  
         [0030]    First arraying device  36  is located at a middle section of first transporting passageway  35 . First arraying device  36  has the function of ensuring that a banknote B which is transported by first transporting device  14  is guided to the reference plane.  
         [0031]    Second transporting device  15  includes a fourth transporting roller  51 , storing device  16  and package of banknotes dispensing device  53 . Fourth transporting roller  51  is located above the storing section  11  and to the right of the first transporting device  14  in FIG. 1. Fifth press roller  54  of fourth transporting roller  51  has a resiliently contact with fourth roller  55 .  
         [0032]    Next storing device  16  which is adjacent the dispensing slot is explained.  
         [0033]    Tray  50  is located above the storing section  11  and on the right of fourth transporting roller  51  in FIG. 1. Tray  50  is dish-like in shape and has a concave portion  56  at the center. The length of concave  56  is slightly longer than banknote B. Banknote B is temporarily stored at concave portion  56  before being dispensed to the user.  
         [0034]    Next package dispensing device  53  is explained. A pair of guiding rollers  57  and  58  are located over and away from tray  50 . First belt  59  is positioned around guide rollers  57  and  58 .  
         [0035]    First projection  61  and second projection  62  are fixed at the outer surface of first belt  59  to contact and move the banknotes B that accumulate in the tray  50 . The distance between projections  61  and  62  is the same, which is longer than the length of a banknote B. The lower surface of first belt  59  is parallel to concave portion  56  of tray  50 .  
         [0036]    Next, banknote dispensing slot  5  is explained. Guiding boards  63  and  64  are located over storing section  11  and are at the right side of second transporting device  15 . They are positioned at a predetermined distance. The left ends of guiding boards  63 ,  64  are V shaped.  
         [0037]    Next, diverting device  6  is explained. Diverting device  6  is located between third transporting roller  27  and fourth transporting roller  51  and includes diverting board  65  and a first solenoid  66  which rotates the diverting board  65 . When the first solenoid  66  is demagnetized, banknotes B are guided to recycling passageway  7  by the diverting board  65 . On the other hand, when the first solenoid  66  is excited, banknotes B are guided to fourth transporting roller  51 .  
         [0038]    Next, the recycling passageway  7  is explained. The recycling passage  7  includes a first guiding board reverse side  67  and a third guiding board  68  which is located at a predetermined distance away from the reverse side  67 . Recycling passageway  7  is located between first transporting device  14  and storing section  11  and is approximately vertical. Rejecting device  71 , second arraying device  72 , recycle storing device  73  and recycling device  8  are located at recycling passageway  7  and are arrayed downwards.  
         [0039]    Next, the rejecting device  71  is explained. The rejecting device  71  includes a reject transporting roller  74  and a reject diverting device  75 .  
         [0040]    The reject transporting roller  74  is located between the upper section of the storing section  11  and the first transporting device  14 . Reject transporting roller  74  includes a sixth pressing roller  77  which has a small diameter and has resilient contact with the fifth roller  76  which has a large diameter.  
         [0041]    Next, reject diverting device  75  includes a reject guiding board  78  and a second solenoid  79 . The reject guiding board  78  is located between the first guiding board  32  and the reject transporting roller  74 . Recycling banknotes  80  are guided to the reject transporting roller  74  or the recycle storing device  73  by the reject guiding board  78 .  
         [0042]    When the second solenoid  79  is unexcited, the reject guiding board  78  is located at the first guiding board  32  side. Therefore, a recycling banknote  80  is guided to the reject transport roller  74 . When the second solenoid  79  is excited, the reject guiding board  78  moves. Therefore, the recycling banknote  80  is guided to the recycling storing device  73 .  
         [0043]    The second arraying device  72  is explained by referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Second arraying device  72  arrays the recycled banknote  80  along a wall.  
         [0044]    Second arraying device  72  is located near the downstream side of the reject transporting roller  74 . The reject guiding board  78  is mounted at the upper section of a body  81  of the second arraying device  72  and is rotatable.  
         [0045]    The second arraying device  72  includes a bias device  82 , a second arraying roller  83 , a first guiding wall  84 , a second guiding wall  85 , and a third guiding wall  86 . A tunnel-like shape is made up from first the guiding board reverse side  67 , the first guiding wall  84 , the second guiding wall  85 , and the third guiding wall  86  for transporting banknotes. The tunnel is a part of the recycling passage  7 .  
         [0046]    As shown in FIG. 2, the bias device  82  is made up from a spring wire. A loop at the end of the bias device  82  is known as wire spring bail  87  and its base is fixed at body  81 . The top of wire spring  87  is located in the recycling passage  7 . Therefore, the wire springs  87  can be four in numbers, and they are located at predetermined distances and are parallel to each other. The second arraying roller  83  is located downstream of the bias device  82  and is in the shape shown in FIG. 3. The second arraying roller  83  is shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0047]    The second arraying roller  83  has a circular plane section  42  and a V cross-section  43  which is located around the circular plane section  42 . The V cross-section  43  has a cylindrical section  44  which is parallel to a rotating axis and a slanting section  45 . Second arraying roller  83  can be made from polyurethane and has a certain degree of elasticity and is fixed at a rotating shaft  88  which penetrates through supporting hole  47 .  
         [0048]    A timing pulley is fixed at the end of rotating shaft  88 . The timing pulley is driven through a belt (not shown) by a driving source. Second arraying roller  83  is pressed to first guiding board  34 . Therefore, the cylindrical section  44  and slanting section  45  are transformed and have contact with banknotes B.  
         [0049]    The peripheral speed of the cylindrical section  44  is larger than the speed of slanting section  45  to transform the second arraying roller  83 . Therefore, the lower edge of banknote B is pressed to third guide wall  86  because banknote B pivots in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2. Next, the side edge  95  of banknote B has contact with third guide wall  86 , as a result, it is arrayed along the third guide wall  86 .  
         [0050]    Friction disc  89  is fixed on the second arraying roller  83 . Second friction disc  91  is located adjacent to the friction disc  89  and is rotatable on the rotating shaft  88 . Second friction disc  91  is pushed toward the friction disc  89  by spring  93  which is located between a stopper  92  which is fixed on a rotating shaft  88  and the friction disc  89 . Friction clutch  94  includes the friction disc  89  and the second friction disc  91 .  
         [0051]    The recycling banknotes  80  are transported downwards and are pushed to the first guiding wall  84  and reverse surface  67  by the wire spring  87  at the second arraying device  72 . The side edge  95  of the recycling banknotes  80  are pushed to the third guiding wall  86  by the second arraying roller  83 , one by one by the dispensing device  96 , and as a result, they get transported.  
         [0052]    When recycling banknote  80  is stopped by the one by one dispensing device  96 , the recycling banknote  80  has contact with the second arraying roller  83 . In this situation, recycling banknote  80  is stalled, because when the friction force between the second arraying roller  83  and the recycling banknote  80  is over a predetermined force, the friction clutch  94  slips, and as a result, the second arraying roller  83  does not slip relative to the recycling banknote  80 .  
         [0053]    Slanting surface  97  is hollow and is located at a first guide board reverse surface  67  (shown in FIG. 1). Recycling banknotes  80  are guided to the base of a spring by a slanting surface  97 .  
         [0054]    Next, the recycling device  8  is explained. The recycling device  8  includes the one by one dispensing device or sorting device  96  and a receiving unit  99 . The sorting device  96  is explained by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5. The one by one dispensing device  96  is located below the recycling passage  7 .  
         [0055]    It includes a roller  101  which is fixed on a shaft  100 , a seventh pressing roller  102  which has contact with the roller  101  and fixed rollers  103  and  104  which have larger diameters than roller  101 . Seventh pressing roller  102  is rotatable and is supported on shaft  105 . Fixed rollers  103  and  104  are provided as a resistance guide.  
         [0056]    The shape of the resistance guide unit can be made up of semicircles or shafts, because it can give resistance to the recycling banknote  80 . When the resistance guide has a circular configuration, the duplication between the seventh pressing roller  102  and the resistance guide can be changed, because the resistance guide unit can be rotated on the shaft  100 . As a result, the resistance can be changed for the recycling banknote  80 .  
         [0057]    The surface of the seventh pressing roller  102  has a relatively high friction. The seventh pressing roller  102  can be made from EPDM. When the seventh pressing roller  102  is made up as a roller, it can be inexpensive to design. The seventh pressing roller  102  can be made up of metal and the surface can be satin finished.  
         [0058]    Fixed roller  103  is fixed on stay  106 , and fixed roller  104  is fixed on stay  107 . Fixed rollers  103  and  104  are eccentrically positioned relative to shaft  100  and can be changed to a rotating position (the dotted line shown in FIG. 5). Fixed rollers  103  and  104  are made from a hard polyurethane rubber. The hard polyurethane rubber has a long life, a high friction coefficient, and is inexpensive. Alternatively, fixed roller  103  and  104  can be made up of a metal with a high friction surface.  
         [0059]    The fixed rollers  103 ,  104 , and the seventh pressing roller  102  make up the overlap section  108  having a side cross-sectional wedge shape receiving section for the banknotes. The banknote receiving section  109  is located over the overlap section  108  and has a wedge-like opening shape for receiving the entrance edge of the banknotes The fixed rollers  103  and  104  are fixed on stays  106  and  107  by screws  110  and  111  and can be adjusted.  
         [0060]    The fixed rollers  103  and  104  can be changed in their position on stay  106  and  107 , by adjustment with the screws. Screws  110  and  111  can be loosened and can let the rollers be rotated. Therefore, any duplication of banknotes between the fixed rollers  103  and  104  and the seventh pressing roller  102  can be changed. The seventh pressing roller  102  is rotatable on shaft  105 .  
         [0061]    As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed rollers  103  and  104  are located at a 0.5 mm distance from the seventh pressing roller  102  and are eccentric to shaft  100 . The roller  101  has contact with the seventh pressing roller  102  to provide a predetermined force. Transporting nip section  112  is located slightly below the overlap wedge section  108 , as shown in FIG. 5. This structure is inexpensive to manufacture because the roller  101  also drives the seventh pressing roller  102  by friction.  
         [0062]    The recycling banknotes  80  are transported from second arraying device  72 , and are stopped by overlap sections  107 . The shaft  100  is rotatable on a shaft bearing  113  and  114 . The shaft  100  is rotated through a one-way clutch  115  by a driving shaft  116 .  
         [0063]    The overlap section  108  can change its position, because the fixed rollers  103  and  104  pivot on a shaft (shown in FIG. 5). Therefore, the fixed rollers  103  and  104  are fixed by screws  110  and  111 .  
         [0064]    Next, the safe  2  is explained. Safe  2  has a storing section  117  which is located in the middle, a reject storing section  118  which is located in the upper section, a unit section  119  which is located under storing section  117 , and a shutter section  120  which is located at one side. Lid  121  is hinged to a frame  122  by a key  123 , and a storing section  117  can be opened or closed. The lid  121  is locked to safe  2  by key  123 .  
         [0065]    The reject storing section  118  is connected to a receiving slot  124  which has a rectangular configuration and is located at a horizontal extending section which is across from the nip section of reject transporting roller  74 .  
         [0066]    A banknote exit opening  125  is rectangular and is located below the shutter section  120  and the side of the nipped plane of first transporting roller  18 . Banknote exit  125  passes through storing section  117 .  
         [0067]    The let off device  3  is explained by referring to FIG. 1. Let off device  3  is located in unit section  119  and includes rollers  126  and  127  which are located at a predetermined distance along a longitudinal direction of banknote B.  
         [0068]    The physical surfaces of rollers  126  and  127  are located in banknote storing section  117 . Pulleys (not shown) combined with a driven gear  128  and rotating rollers  126  and  127  through to belts  129 . The driving device  17  drives driven gear  128 . Banknote pusher  131  is located in storing section  117  and is moved towards rollers  126  and  127  by parallel link mechanism  132 .  
         [0069]    A handle  133  is supported at lid  121  for opening the lid to access the storing section  117 .  
         [0070]    The driving device of the first transporting roller  18  is explained. A first motor  134  drives the second roller  25  through a first transmission mechanism  135 . The first transmission mechanism  135  includes a torque clutch. Therefore, the second roller  25  is driven at a predetermined torque by the first motor  134 .  
         [0071]    Next, the receiving unit  99  is explained. The receiving unit  99  includes a banknote lifter  151  and a drawing device  152 . When the banknote lifter  151  lifts up the end of the lowest banknote B, a triangle space is formed between the bottom  157  and the lowest banknote B. Drawing device  152  includes rollers  126 ,  127 , and idle gear  165 .  
         [0072]    The driver of a one by one dispensing device  96  and first transporting device  14  is now explained. First roller  21  is driven by second motor  162  through a second transmitting mechanism  163 .  
         [0073]    The first gear  22  rotates the driving shaft  116  through a gear train. Therefore, second motor  162  rotates roller  101  through a one way clutch  115 .  
         [0074]    Next, the driving device  17  of let off device  3  is explained. When the driving gear  164  rotates in the counterclockwise direction, idle gear  161  engages with the driven gear  128 , therefore idle gear  165  does not engage with gear  128 . As a result, the driven gear  128  rotates in the counterclockwise direction.  
         [0075]    The rollers  126  and  127  rotate in the counterclockwise direction through belts  129  and  130 . Therefore, the lowest banknote B is let off from receiving slot  19  by the rollers  126  and  127 .  
         [0076]    When the driving gear  164  rotates in the clockwise direction, the idle gear  165  engages with driven gear  128 , therefore idle gear  161  does not engage with the driven gear  128 . The driven gear  128  rotates in the clockwise direction shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0077]    The rollers  126  and  127  rotate in the clockwise direction by the driven gear  128  through belts  129  and  130 . The banknote B is drawn in safe  2  by rollers  126  and  127 . As a result, the rollers  126  and  127  are let off device  3  or drawing device  152  which are changed on the rotating direction. Fourth motor  166  drives driving gear  164 .  
         [0078]    A driving device  170  of the package dispensing device  53  is explained. As shown in FIG. 1, the guiding roller  57  is rotated by a third motor  171 .  
         [0079]    The layout of the sensors to form a monitoring unit is explained referring to FIG. 1. Firstly, a banknote sensor is explained. First sensor  181  is located on the outside of shutter section  120 . Second sensor  182  is located at receiving slot  19 . Third sensor  183  is located at the first transporting passage  35 . Fourth sensor  184  is located at the section of fourth roller  55 . Fifth sensor  185  is located at the reject transporting roller  74 . Sixth sensor  186  is located at banknote dispensing slot  5 . Seventh sensor  187  is located at recycling passage  7 .  
         [0080]    The distance between the first sensor  181  and the third sensor  183  is the same length as a banknote B. The length sensor  188  includes the first sensor  181  and the third sensor  183 . The second sensor  182  is a transparent photoelectric method sensor and has the function of a passing sensor and a duplicate sensor. Checking device  9  is the second sensor  182 .  
         [0081]    The banknote sensors can be changed to a reflecting type or a mechanical type and the type of sensor is not essential to the present invention.  
         [0082]    The position sensor  193  is now explained. The position sensor  193  detects the first projection  61  and the second projection  62  in the tray  16 .  
         [0083]    Next, the control block diagram is explained by referring to FIG. 6. The banknote sensors  181  through to  188  and position sensor  193  are connected to a microcomputer system  196 . The dispensing signal  197  is input to microcomputer  196  to activate the machine.  
         [0084]    The microcomputer  196  operates based on a program stored in ROM  198  and controls first motor  134 , second motor  162 , third motor  171 , fourth motor  166 , solenoid  66 , and second solenoid  79 . “199” is a RAM.  
         [0085]    Next, the operation of the preferred embodiment is explained. At the situation, where the safe  2  is drawn from the storing section  11 , a stack of banknotes B are then stored in storing section  117  by an operator. The lid  121  is closed and is locked by the key  123 .  
         [0086]    A banknote pusher  131  pushes the stack of banknotes B towards the bottom  157 . The lowest banknote  8  has resting contact with the rollers  126  and  127 . Safe  2  is inserted in storing section  11  and is locked to body  10  by a locking device (not shown).  
         [0087]    Next the operation when a banknote B is paid out is explained. When dispensing signal  197  is outputted from the control circuit of a vending machine, the first motor  134  and the second motor  162  rotate.  
         [0088]    When the first motor  134  rotates, the second roller  25  rotates in the clockwise direction through the first transmission mechanism  135  and the second gear  26 . The first arraying roller (not shown), third roller  28 , fourth roller  55 , fifth roller  76 , and second arraying roller  83  are rotated in the same direction by a gear transmission mechanism.  
         [0089]    The first transporting roller  18 , the first arraying roller, and fourth roller  55  rotates for banknote B to be let off to the storing device  16 . The rejecting transporting roller  74  rotates for the let off of banknote B to reject storing section  118 .  
         [0090]    The second arraying roller  83  rotates for the recycled banknote  80  which is then transported to recycle storing device  73 . The first gear  22  is rotated in the clockwise direction by the second motor  162  through the second transporting mechanism  163  shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the first roller  21  rotates for the banknote B to the first transporting device  14 .  
         [0091]    Next, the fourth motor  166  rotates. The driving gear  164  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1 by the fourth motor  166 . Therefore, the idle gear  161  engages with the driven gear  128  in unit section  119 . Receiving the idle gear  165  does not engage with the driven gear  128 .  
         [0092]    The rollers  126  and  127  are rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the driven gear  128  through belts  129  and  130 . The lowest banknote B is then sent to the banknote exit  125  by roller  126  and  127 .  
         [0093]    Only one banknote B passes through the banknote exit  125  and is transported to the receiving slot  19 . The banknote B is transported to the first transporting passage  35  by the second transporting roller  23  through the first transporting roller  18  and it arrives to the first arraying device  36 .  
         [0094]    The banknote B is arrayed by the first arraying device  36  and it arrives at the third transporting roller  27 . At the third transporting roller  27 , the running direction of banknote B is changed to a right angle by the third press roller  29  and the fourth press roller  31 .  
         [0095]    Next, the second sensor  182  distinguishes any duplication of banknotes B. The output signal of the second sensor  182  which is a transmission type is compared to a predetermined standard level. When dispensed duplicate banknotes B are detected by the sensor, the program goes to a subroutine to specifically address this problem. When dispensed duplicate banknotes B are not detected, the program proceeds to the next step, and the length of the banknote B is judged to verify the banknote.  
         [0096]    The distance between the first sensor  181  and the third sensor  183  is slightly longer than the length of banknote B. Therefore, if the first sensor  181  and the third sensor  183  output a detecting signal at the same time, it represents an abnormal situation and, as a result, the program goes to a second subroutine. If a normal situation is detected, the program goes to the next step.  
         [0097]    The signal of the banknote B at the third sensor  183  is judged. In other words, when the dispensed banknote B from safe  2  is detected, the program goes to the next step. The fourth motor  166  is stopped and, as a result, the let off of the banknote  8  from safe  2  is stopped. When the banknote signal is detected over a predetermined time period, the program goes to a third subroutine, and an abnormal sign is displayed at the display, and all processes are stopped.  
         [0098]    Next, the banknote-detecting signal of the fourth sensor  184  is distinguished. When the banknote detecting signal is none, it is a normal situation and the program goes to the next step.  
         [0099]    If it is a genuine banknote, diverting board  65  is kept at the solid line position shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the banknote B is guided to fourth roller  55  by the diverting board  65  while wedged between the fourth press roller  31  and the third roller  28 . The forth roller  55  transports the banknote B to the storing device  16  which is located between the hollow  56  of tray  50  and the second transporting device  15 .  
         [0100]    Next, when counting the banknote signal which is outputted from the fourth sensor  184 , the program goes to the next step. In other words, the banknotes B which are stored at a predetermined number in storing device  16  are checked to ensure the specific sum to be dispensed has accumulated in the tray  50 . If the banknote signal is not at a predetermined number, the program loops to return to the step before. A second banknote B is dispensed from safe  2 . This process is repeated until a predetermined numeral of banknotes has been dispensed from the safe.  
         [0101]    Next, the first motor  134 , the second motor  162 , and the fourth motor  166  are stopped. As a result, the let off device  3 , the first transporting roller  18 , and the storing device  16  stop.  
         [0102]    Next, the third motor  171  rotates. The guiding roller  57  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 1. When the position sensor  193  detects second projection  62 , the program goes to the next step. The third motor  171  stops, and the program goes to the next step.  
         [0103]    When the position sensor  193  does not output a second detecting signal for the second projection  62  within a predetermined time, an emergency signal is released and stops the operation. If the proper signal is received, the banknotes B in the storing device  16  are moved to the banknote dispensing slot  5 . As a result, the end of the banknotes  8  protrudes from the guiding board  63  and  64 .  
         [0104]    When the overlapping banknotes  8  are detected, solenoids  66  and second solenoid  79  are excited. The diverting board or diverting unit  65  slightly pivots in the clockwise direction by the solenoid  66  and closes the passage to the fourth roller  55  and opens the passage to the recycling passageway  7 .  
         [0105]    Also, the reject guiding board  78  slightly pivots in the clockwise direction by movement of the second solenoid  79  and closes the passage to reject transporting roller  74  and opens the passage to the recycling passageway  7 .  
         [0106]    Therefore, the banknote B is guided by the diverting board  65  and the reject guiding board  78  and goes to the second arraying device  72 , while the banknote B is made into a wedged shape between the third roller  28  and the fourth press roller  31 . Then the banknote B arrives at the second arraying device  72 . The recycling banknote  80  is pushed to the reverse side  67  by the spring  98  at the second arraying device  72 , afterwards it is pinched between the second arraying roller  83  and the reverse surface  67 .  
         [0107]    Hereupon, the recycling banknote  80  is wedged between the second arraying roller  83  and the reverse surface  67 , and passes through and between the third roller  28  and the fourth press roller  31 . The position of the recycling banknote  80  is changed by the second arraying roller  83 . Therefore, the banknote  80  has its side  95  pushed to the third guiding wall  86  and is arrayed.  
         [0108]    Therefore, the end of the recycling banknote  80  is stopped by the overlap section  108  which is located between fixed rollers  103  and  104  and seventh press roller  102 . As a result, the recycling banknote  80  is stored in the recycle storing device  73 . In this situation, the second arraying roller  83  has contact with the upper section of the recycling banknote  80 . However, the second arraying roller  83  cannot be rotated because the friction clutch  94  slips.  
         [0109]    Therefore, the recycling banknote  80  is not injured by the rotation of second arraying roller  83 , because the transfer of torque of friction clutch  94  is controlled. Also, the banknote B does not become bunched up.  
         [0110]    In this situation, the springs  87  push the upper section of the recycling banknote  80  to the first guiding board reverse side  67 .  
         [0111]    The recycling banknote  80  is transported to the recycle storing device  73  for storage, and the end of the next recycling banknote  80  is guided to the base of spring  87  by the slanting surface  97  of the spring  87 .  
         [0112]    The end of recycling banknote  80  is guided by the slant of spring  87  and has contact with the stored recycling banknote  80  from the side of safe  2 . Therefore, the next recycling banknote  80  is pushed to the stored recycling banknote  80  by the end of spring  87 .  
         [0113]    The next recycling banknote  80  is arrayed by the second arraying roller  83  and the third guiding wall  86 . In this manner, the recycling banknote  80  is arrayed at the safe  2  side.  
         [0114]    Next, the storing process of recycling banknote  80  is explained. The banknote lifter  151  pushes up the top of the banknotes B in the banknote storing section  117 . The banknote B and bottom  157  make up the receiving wedge space.  
         [0115]    Next, the recycles banknote  80  are dispensed by the one by one dispensing device  96  when it is operated. Then second motor  162  and fourth motor  166  rotate in the reverse direction After that, the first roller  21  rotates in the counterclockwise direction by the second motor  162  through the second transporting mechanism  163  and the first gear  22 .  
         [0116]    The driving shaft  116  rotates in the counterclockwise direction through gears by the second motor  162  as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the diameter of the spring of one-way clutch  115  shrinks to have contact with driving shaft  116 . As a result, the one-way clutch  115  lets in the clutch and rotates shaft  100  in the same direction. The roller  101  rotates in the counterclockwise direction by shaft  100  as shown in FIG. 5. The seventh press roller  102  has contact with roller  101  and rotates in the clockwise direction.  
         [0117]    Therefore, only the recycling banknote  80  which has contact with the seventh press roller  102  is pulled down and is let off towards the side of the first transporting roller  18  by roller  101 .  
         [0118]    When the recycling banknotes  80  are not transported, the friction decreases between the seventh pressing roller  102  and the recycling banknote  80 .  
         [0119]    Therefore, the fixed rollers  103  and  104  are changed in their position as shown in FIG. 5, and the overlapping is increased. In this situation, the bent volume of the banknote B is increased, as a result, the friction between the recycling banknote  80  and the seventh pressing roller  102  increases.  
         [0120]    When the rotating resistance of the seventh pressing roller  102  becomes more than the transferring force between the seventh pressing roller  102  and roller  101 , the seventh pressing roller  102  does not rotate. Therefore, the banknote  80  is guided by the guiding board and goes to the contact section between the first roller  21  and the first press roller  20  and is transported to the banknote exit  125  from the receiving slot  19 . The idle gear  161  is away from the driven gear  128 , because the fourth motor  166  rotates in the opposite direction. The receiving idle gear  165  engages with the driven gear  128 . Accordingly, the driven gear  128  rotates in a clockwise direction.  
         [0121]    Consequently, the end of the recycling banknote  80 , which is transported from the banknote exit  125  to the storing section  117  by the first transporting roller  18 , goes between the roller  126 , and the banknote B passes through the receiving section. The recycling banknote  80  is transported between the roller  126  and the banknote B is transported further away by the roller  127 .  
         [0122]    In this storing situation of the recycling banknote  80 , when the second sensor  182  does not detect the recycling banknote  80 , the second motor  162  and the fourth motor  166  stop the operation. Thus, the one by one dispensing device  96 , the first transporting roller  18 , and the drawing device  152  stop.  
         [0123]    Therefore, the lifting device  151  releases the lifting, and as a result, the banknotes B come down. As a result, a cycle of the storing operation of the recycling banknote B finishes. When the sensor  187  detects the recycling banknote  80 , the storing process is re-executed. When the sensor  187  does not detect the recycling banknote  80 , the process of the recycling banknote finishes.  
         [0124]    This present invention can be located at the banknote exit  125 .  
         [0125]    In this situation, when the banknote B is let off, the end of banknote B has contact with first roller  18  by rollers  126 ,  127  and goes to the overlap section  108 . The transporting nip section  112  can be changed to a roller and a belt or a pair of belts which can have contact.  
         [0126]    Also, in this present invention, the resistance guide can be changed to a circle disc and it can be rotated in the opposite direction from the banknote dispensing direction. The banknotes are transported one by one, because the resistance guide rotates in the opposite direction.  
         [0127]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1