CURRENCY BILL PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20110215034A1
• Filed: 03/02/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Baranowski, Marek, Cummings, Charles H., Maier, Ken W., Mikkelsen, John M., Mennie, Douglas U.
• Granted Patent: US 8,544,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 209/534
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/00 Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches sorting by hand only B07C7/00; separating solids from solids by sieving, screening, or sifting or by using gas currents or other separating by dry methods applicable to bulk material B07B
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/34 Sorting according to other particular properties material testing per se G01N; quality control G07C3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/10 Modular constructions, e.g. using preformed elements or profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/10 Mechanical details
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/16 Handling of valuable papers within containers G07D11/13
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/40 Device architecture, e.g. modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/50 Sorting or counting valuable papers

Abstract

A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side.

Claims

1. A currency bill processing device, comprising:

a housing having a front side in opposing spaced relation to a back side, and a first end in opposing spaced relation to a second end, the front and the back sides being generally orthogonal with respect to the first and the second ends;

an input receptacle positioned proximate the first end of the housing, the input receptacle being configured to receive a stack of bills;

a second output receptacle proximate the second end of the housing and a first output receptacle horizontally offset from the second output receptacle in a direction toward the first end of the housing, the housing being configured to provide access openings in the front side, the access openings being proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side of the housing;

at least one detector positioned between the input receptacle and the first output receptacle; and

a transport mechanism configured to transport bills from the input receptacle, one at a time, along a transport path originating at the input receptacle proximate the first end of the housing, the transport path extending generally horizontally past the at least one detector toward the second end of the housing, the transport path transitioning generally-vertically upward between the first and the second output receptacles, the transport mechanism being further configured to deliver some of the bills toward the first end into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward the second end into the second output receptacle.

2. The currency bill processing device of claim 1, wherein the first and the second output receptacles each have a receiving opening associated therewith, the receiving openings being configured to permit bills from the transport mechanism to be passed therethrough, and the receiving openings being positioned adjacent to and on opposite sides of the generally-vertical portion of the transport path.

3. The currency bill processing device of claim 1, wherein the first and the second output receptacles each have a receiving opening associated therewith, the receiving openings being configured to permit bills from the transport mechanism to be passed therethrough, and the receiving opening of the first output receptacle facing the receiving opening of the second output receptacle.

4. The currency bill processing device of claim 1, further comprising a diverter located along the transport path and between the first and the second output receptacles, the diverter being configured to selectively direct bills being transported by the transport mechanism into the first and the second output receptacles.

5. The currency bill processing device of claim 1, further comprising a pocket module positioned adjacent to a top of the housing, the pocket module including a third and a fourth output receptacle, the third and the fourth output receptacles being horizontally offset from one another.

6. The currency bill processing device of claim 5, wherein the transport path extends generally-vertically upward past the first and the second output receptacles and between the third and the fourth output receptacles, the transport mechanism being further configured to deliver some of the bills toward the first end into the third output receptacle and some of the bills toward the second end into the fourth output receptacle.

7. The currency bill processing device of claim 1, wherein each output receptacle includes a transition surface upon which bills pass as delivered from the transport path into a respective one of the output receptacles, the bills transitioning at least about 90 degrees from the transport path into the respective output receptacle.

8. The currency bill processing device of claim 7, wherein the bills transition between about 100 degrees to about 140 degrees from the transport path to the respective output receptacle.

9. The currency bill processing device of claim 7, wherein each output receptacle includes a belt configured to engage and press bills against a respective one of the transition surfaces as the bills are delivered from the transport path into a respective one of the output receptacles.

10. The currency bill processing device of claim 1, wherein the transport mechanism transports the bills from the input receptacle to one of the output receptacles without contacting the bills with a driven belt.

11. A currency bill processing device for processing a stack of currency bills, the currency bill processing device comprising:

an input receptacle configured to receive the stack of currency bills;

a first output receptacle and a second output receptacle, each output receptacle having a receiving opening and an access opening associated therewith, the receiving openings being configured to receive bills therethrough, and the access openings being proximate a front side of the currency bill processing device thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side of the currency bill processing device, and the receiving opening of the first output receptacle facing the receiving opening of the second output receptacle such that the first and the second output receptacles are oriented in a back-to-back manner with respect to each other;

at least one detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles; and

a transport mechanism configured to transport currency bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle past the at least one detector to one of the output receptacles.

12. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, wherein the transport mechanism transports the bills along a transport path originating at the input receptacle proximate a first end of the currency bill processing device, the transport path extending generally horizontally past the at least one detector, the transport path transitioning generally vertically between the first and second output receptacles.

13. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, further comprising a controller and a diverter, the diverter being positioned between the receiving openings of the first and the second output receptacles, the controller being configured to selectively cause the diverter to direct bills being transported via the transport mechanism into the first and the second output receptacles.

14. The currency bill processing device of claim 13, wherein the diverter is configured to transition between at least three positions, the diverter directing bills into the first output receptacle in response to being in a first position, directing bills into the second output receptacle in response to being in a second position, and directing bills past both the first and second output receptacles in response to being in a third position.

15. The currency bill processing device of claim 14, wherein the diverter has a slot configured to pass bills therethrough past the first and the second output receptacles in response to the diverter being in the third position.

16. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, further comprising a controller, a first diverter, and a second diverter, the first and the second diverters being positioned adjacent one another and between the receiving openings of the first and the second output receptacles, the controller being configured to cooperatively control the first and the second diverters to selectively direct bills being transported via the transport mechanism into one of the first and the second output receptacles and past the first and the second output receptacles.

17. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, wherein each of the bills in the stack of bills has two parallel wide edges, and wherein the transport mechanism transports the bills in a wide-edge leading manner such that one of the wide edges is the sole leading edge during transport from the input receptacle to one of the output receptacles.

18. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, wherein each of the bills is moved from the input receptacle to one of the plurality of output receptacles without rotating the bill around an axis passing through a leading edge and a trailing edge of the bill.

19. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, wherein the transport mechanism transports the bills from the input receptacle to one of the output receptacles without contacting the bills with a driven belt.

20. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, wherein the transport mechanism includes a moveable transport plate and a stationary transport plate, wherein the moveable transport plate is pivotably within the device, the moveable transport plate having an open position and a closed position, the moveable transport plate being generally parallel to the stationary transport plate in the closed position, and the moveable transport plate being generally oblique with respect to the stationary transport plate in the open position such that bills remaining on the moveable transport plate slide toward the front side of the currency bill processing device in response to the moveable transport plate being in the open position.

21. The currency bill processing device of claim 20, wherein the transport mechanism further comprises a latch assembly configured to selectively retain the moveable transport plate in the closed position.

22. The currency bill processing device of claim 21, wherein the latch assembly includes a knob rigidly mounted to the moveable transport plate, and a latch pivotably mounted to the stationary transport plate, the latch including a roller mounted at one end thereof, the knob being configured to receive and mate with the roller and thereby lock the latch to the knob whereby the moveable transport plate is retained in the closed position.

23. The currency bill processing device of claim 22, wherein the latch is moveable from a latched orientation to an unlatched orientation, the latch assembly further comprising a biasing member biasing the latch into the latched orientation.

24. The currency bill processing device of claim 11, wherein the currency bill processing device has a pocket density of about 1.5 output receptacles per cubic foot.

25. A method of transporting bills from a stack of bills in an input receptacle of a currency bill processing device to at least one of a plurality of output receptacles including first and second horizontally-offset output receptacles, the method comprising:

receiving a stack of bills in the input receptacle of the currency bill processing device;

transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle along a first segment of a transport path past at least one detector, the first segment including a generally-horizontal portion;

generating data associated with the bills via the at least one detector;

transporting the bills from the first segment along a second segment of the transport path, the second segment extending in a generally horizontal direction beneath the first and the second output receptacles;

transporting the bills from the second segment along a third segment of the transport path that extends generally vertically from the second segment between the first and the second output receptacles;

delivering some of the bills from third segment into the first output receptacle; and

delivering some of the bills from third segment into the second output receptacle,

wherein the bills are delivered to one of the plurality of output receptacles based in part on the generated data.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the bills are transported from the input receptacle to one of the plurality of output receptacles without changing a leading edge of the bill and without rotating the bill around an axis passing through the leading edge and a trailing edge of the bill.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of output receptacles further comprises third and fourth horizontally-offset output receptacles, the third and the fourth output receptacles being vertically offset from the first and the second output receptacles, the method further comprising:

transporting bills not delivered to one of the first and the second output receptacles along a fourth segment of the transport path that extends generally vertically from the third segment between the third and the fourth output receptacles;

delivering some of the bills from the fourth segment to the third output receptacle; and

delivering some of the bills from the fourth segment to the fourth output receptacle.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the plurality of output receptacles further comprises fifth and sixth horizontally-offset output receptacles, the fifth and the sixth output receptacles being vertically offset from the first and the second output receptacles and the third and the fourth output receptacles, the method further comprising:

transporting bills not delivered to one of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth output receptacles along a fifth segment of the transport path that extends generally vertically from the fourth segment between the fifth and the sixth output receptacles;

delivering some of the bills from the fifth segment to the fifth output receptacle; and

delivering some of the bills from the fifth segment to the sixth output receptacle.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the bills transition through an angle between about 100 degrees and about 140 degrees while being delivered from the transport path into one of the plurality of output receptacles.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein each of the bills is transported from the input receptacle to one of the plurality of output receptacles without touching a continuous belt driven by a motor.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the first and the second output receptacles each have a receiving opening in a respective side portion, the side portions laying in one or more planes parallel to a first plane, the first and the second output receptacles each have an access opening in a respective front portion, the front portions laying in one or more planes parallel to a second plane, the second plane being generally orthogonal with respect to the first plane, the receiving openings being configured to receive therethrough bills from the third segment of the transport path, and the access openings configured to provide operator access to retrieve bills from associated output receptacles, the receiving opening of the first output receptacle facing the receiving opening of the second output receptacle across the third segment of the transport path.

32. A currency processing system, comprising:

a currency processing device having a first end and a second opposing end, the currency processing device including;

an input receptacle configured to receive a plurality of bills, the input receptacle being positioned proximate to the first end;

at least one detector configured to detect characteristic information from the bills and to generate data associated with each bill, the at least one detector being positioned between the first and the second ends of the currency processing device; and

a device transport mechanism configured to transport the plurality of bills, one at a time, along a first segment of a transport path, the first segment of the transport path extending from the input receptacle past the at least one detector to a device outlet opening, the device outlet opening being located in the second end of the currency processing device; and

a first base module configured to detachably connect to the second end of the currency processing device, the first base module including;

a first end and a second opposing end;

a top and an opposing bottom;

a first base module inlet opening in operative communication with the device outlet opening of the currency processing device such that the first base module inlet opening receives bills transported through the device outlet opening via the device transport mechanism, the first base module inlet opening being located in the first end of the first base module;

a first outlet opening of the first base module located in the second end of the first base module;

a second outlet opening of the first base module located in the top of the first base module;

a first and a second output receptacle configured to receive bills, the first and the second output receptacles being positioned between the first and the second ends and between the top and the bottom of the first base module; and

a first base module transport mechanism configured to selectively transport bills received through the first base module inlet opening along a second segment of the transport path, the second segment of the transport path extending from the first base module inlet opening to the first outlet opening of the first base module, the second segment being positioned beneath the first and the second output receptacles, a third segment of the transport path extending generally-vertically upward from the second segment of the transport path between the first and the second output receptacles, the first base module transport mechanism being further configured to selectively deliver some of the bills from the third segment into the first output receptacle, some of the bills from the third segment into the second output receptacle, some of the bills from the second segment to the first outlet opening of the first base module, and some of the bills from the third segment to the second outlet opening of the first base module.

33. The currency processing system of claim 32, further comprising a first pocket module having a first pocket module inlet opening and a first pocket module outlet opening, the first pocket module being detachably connected to the first base module, the first pocket module being positioned adjacent to the top of the first base module in response to being connected thereto such that the first pocket module inlet opening is in operative communication with the second outlet opening of the first base module, the first pocket module being configured to receive bills transported through the second outlet opening of the first base module via the first pocket module inlet opening, the first pocket module including a third and a fourth output receptacle, the third and the fourth output receptacles each being configured to receive at least some of the bills received through the first pocket module inlet opening.

34. The currency processing system of claim 33, wherein the first pocket module further includes a first pocket module transport mechanism, the first pocket module transport mechanism being configured to transport bills received through the first pocket module inlet opening along a fourth segment of the transport path, the fourth segment of the transport path extending generally vertically from the first pocket module inlet opening between the third and the fourth output receptacles to the first pocket module outlet opening, the first pocket module further comprising one or more diverters configured to selectively direct bills being transported by the first pocket module transport mechanism from the fourth segment of the transport path into the third and the fourth output receptacles, the first pocket module transport mechanism being configured to transport undiverted bills along the fourth segment past the third and the fourth output receptacles and through the first pocket module outlet opening.

35. The currency processing system of claim 32, further comprising a second base module configured to detachably connect to the second end of the first base module, the second base module including:

a first end and a second opposing end;

a top and an opposing bottom;

a second base module inlet opening in operative communication with the first outlet opening of the first base module such that the second base module inlet opening receives bills transported through the first outlet opening of the first base module, the second base module inlet opening being located in the first end of the second base module;

a first outlet opening of the second base module located in the second end of the second base module;

a second outlet opening of the second base module located in the top of the second base module;

a fifth and a sixth output receptacle configured to receive bills, the fifth and the sixth output receptacles being positioned between the first and the second ends and between the top and the bottom of the second base module; and

a second base module transport mechanism configured to selectively transport bills received through the second base module inlet opening along a fifth segment of the transport path, the fifth segment of the transport path extending from the second base module inlet opening to the first outlet opening of the second base module, the fifth segment being positioned beneath the fifth and the sixth output receptacles, a sixth segment of the transport path extending generally-vertically upward from the fifth segment of the transport path between the fifth and the sixth output receptacles, the second base module transport mechanism being further configured to selectively deliver bills from the sixth segment into the fifth and the sixth output receptacles, from the sixth segment to the second outlet opening of the second base module, and from the fifth segment to the first outlet opening of the second base module.

36. The currency processing system of claim 35, wherein the first and the second base modules are structurally identical and operatively interchangeable.

37. The currency processing system of claim 35, further comprising a first pocket module having a first pocket module inlet opening and a first pocket module outlet opening, the first pocket module being positioned adjacent to the top of the first base module such that the first pocket module inlet opening is in operative communication with the second outlet opening of the first base module, the first pocket module being detachably connected to the first base module, the first pocket module being configured to receive bills through the first pocket module inlet opening, the first pocket module including a third and a fourth output receptacle, the third and the fourth output receptacles each being configured to receive at least some of the bills transported through the first pocket module inlet opening.

38. The currency processing system of claim 37, further comprising a second pocket module having a second pocket module inlet opening and a second pocket module outlet opening, the second pocket module being positioned adjacent to the top of the of the second base module such that the second pocket module inlet opening is in operative communication with the second outlet opening of the second base module, the second pocket module being detachably connected to the second base module, the second pocket module being configured to receive bills through the second pocket module inlet opening, the second pocket module including a seventh and an eighth output receptacle, the seventh and the eighth output receptacles each being configured to receive at least some of the bills transported through the second pocket module inlet opening.

39. The currency bill processing system of claim 38, wherein the first and the second pocket modules are structurally identical and operatively interchangeable.

40. The currency processing system of claim 38, wherein the first pocket module is further configured to detachably connect to the top of the second base module and receive bills transported through the second outlet opening of the second base module.

41. The currency processing system of claim 40, wherein the second pocket module is further configured to detachably connect to the top of the first base module and receive bills transported through the second outlet opening of the first base module.

42. The currency processing system of claim 38, wherein the first pocket module is further configured to detachably connect to a top of the second pocket module and receive bills therefrom, and wherein the second pocket module is further configured to detachably connect to a top of the first pocket module and receive bills therefrom.

43. The currency processing system of claim 42, wherein the first pocket module is further configured to detachably connect to the second pocket module such that the first pocket module inlet opening mates with the second pocket module outlet opening to receive bills therefrom.

44. The currency processing system of claim 43, wherein the second pocket module is further configured to detachably connect to the first pocket module such that the second pocket module inlet opening mates with the first pocket module outlet opening to receive bills therefrom.

45. The currency processing system of claim 38, further comprising a third pocket module having a third pocket module inlet opening and a third pocket module outlet opening, the third pocket module being configured to detachably connect to a top of the first pocket module or a top of the second pocket module such that the third pocket module inlet opening is in operative communication with the first pocket module outlet opening or the second pocket module outlet opening to receive bills through the third pocket module inlet opening, the third pocket module including a ninth and a tenth output receptacle, the ninth and the tenth output receptacles being configured to receive at least some of the bills received through the third pocket module inlet opening.

46. The currency processing system of claim 32, wherein the first base module further comprises a diverter located along the third segment of the transport path between the first and the second output receptacles, the diverter being configured to selectively direct some of the bills being transported by the first base module transport mechanism from the third segment into the first output receptacle and the second output receptacle.

47. The currency processing system of claim 46, wherein the diverter is configured to transition between at least three positions, the diverter directing bills into the first output receptacle in response to the diverter being in the first position, directing bills into the second output receptacle in response to the diverter being in the second position, and directing bills past both the first and the second output receptacles in response to the diverter being in the third position.

48. The currency processing system of claim 32, wherein the first base module further comprises a first and a second diverter positioned adjacent one another, the first and the second diverters being located along the third segment of the transport path between the first and the second output receptacles, the first and the second diverters being cooperatively configured to selectively direct some of the bills being transported by the first base module transport mechanism from the third segment into the first output receptacle and the second output receptacle, and some of the bills past the first and the second output receptacles toward the second outlet opening of the first base module.

49. The currency processing system of claim 35, further comprising a first pocket module, a second pocket module, and a third pocket module, each pocket module being configured to detachably connect to and receive bills from the first base module, the second base module, or one of the pocket modules, each of the pocket modules including at least one output receptacle configured to receive bills.

50. The currency processing system of claim 49, wherein the first, the second, and the third pocket modules are structurally identical and operatively interchangeable.

51. The currency processing system of claim 49, wherein the first pocket module includes a first pocket module transport mechanism configured to transport bills along a fourth segment of the transport path, the second pocket module includes a second pocket module transport mechanism configured to transport bills along a seventh segment of the transport path, and the third pocket module includes a third pocket module transport mechanism configured to transport bills along an eighth segment of the transport path, and wherein the first base module transport mechanism, the second base module transport mechanism, the first pocket module transport mechanism, the second pocket module transport mechanism, and the third pocket module transport mechanism each include at least one driver.

52. The currency processing system of claim 51, wherein the at least one driver is a gear, a wheel, a sprocket, or a combination thereof.

53. The currency processing system of claim 51, further comprising a prime mover configured to drive one or more of the at least one drivers of the first base module transport mechanism, the second base module transport mechanism, the first pocket module transport mechanism, the second pocket module transport mechanism, and the third pocket module transport mechanism such that the prime mover causes the first base module transport mechanism, the second base module transport mechanism, the first pocket module transport mechanism, the second pocket module transport mechanism, and the third pocket module transport mechanism to transport the bills.

54. The currency processing system of claim 53, wherein the prime mover is adjacent to the bottom of the first base module, the bottom of the second base module, or a top of one of the first, the second, and the third pocket modules.

55. The currency processing system of claim 53, wherein the prime mover only directly engages the at least one driver of one of the transport mechanisms.

56. The currency processing system of claim 55, wherein the prime mover indirectly engages the at least one driver of the other transport mechanisms via one or more gears, belts, or a combination thereof.

57. The currency processing system of claim 32, wherein the first and the second output receptacles each have a receiving opening and an access opening associated therewith, the receiving openings being configured to permit bills from the third segment of the transport path to be passed therethrough, the access openings being proximate a front side of the first base module thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side of the first base module, the receiving opening of the first output receptacle facing the receiving opening of the second output receptacle such that the first and the second output receptacles are oriented in a back-to-back manner with respect to each other.

58. The currency processing system of claim 32, wherein each of the bills is transported from the input receptacle to one of the output receptacles without rotating the bill around an axis passing through a leading edge and a trailing edge of the bill.