Patent Application
20250042686
The disclosure generally relates to banknote sorting and/or stacking systems. In particular, the invention relates to a cover device and a system for retaining a plurality of value documents in a compartment space as well as using the cover device for retaining banknotes in a banknote stacker compartment. The invention further relates to a banknote stacking module comprising the system for retaining a plurality of value documents in a compartment space.
Stacker compartment covers for banknote stackers are usually used to retain banknotes from falling out of the corresponding compartment space in which the banknotes are collected before they are removed or withdrawn by a user. Known stacker compartment covers are opened by means of hinges to enable an opening in order to provide access to the stacker compartment. However, existing stacker compartment covers may restrict the movements of a user, in particular the motion-sequence of a user of the banknote stacker when attempting to withdraw the banknotes collected within the stacker compartment. In particular, it has repeatedly happened that the user was restricted in their movements when reaching into the compartment space for removing the banknotes.
It may be seen as a plurality of value documents of the invention to facilitate withdrawal of a plurality of value documents from a compartment space.
A cover device according to the features of the independent claim is provided. Further embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and from the following description. According to an aspect, an, in particular value document, cover device for retaining a plurality of value documents, in particular banknotes, in a compartment space is provided. The cover device comprises a base unit extending in a main longitudinal direction between a first end of the base unit and a second end of the base unit. The cover device comprises a first retaining element and in particular a second retaining element, wherein in particular each of the first retaining element and the second retaining element is coupled to the base unit such that the first retaining element and the second retaining element are spaced apart from each other in the main longitudinal direction. The cover device further comprises a first coupling element for pivotably coupling the first retaining element to the base unit such that the first retaining element is pivotable relative to the base unit between a closed position and an opened position. The first coupling element defines a first hinge axis about which the first retaining element is pivotable relative to the base unit. The first hinge axis is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal direction. Particularly, it is possible that the first retaining element and the second retaining element are spaced apart from each other in the main longitudinal direction when both retaining elements are in the closed position, or when both retaining elements are in the opened position.
Such a cover device may be used to receive and retain plurality of value documents within a compartment space, for example to collect banknotes in a compartment space before they are withdrawn from the compartment space by a user. The cover device may thus be a part of a system or a platform, for example a system that outputs one or more plurality of value documents, for example sheet-like plurality of value documents or banknotes, and retains the one or more plurality of value documents within the compartment space associated to the system or platform.
The cover device may provide an opening mechanism which helps the user of the system to access the compartment space in which the plurality of value documents is received before withdrawal by the user. In particular, the retaining elements which retain or hold the plurality of value documents within the compartment space can be opened according to a specified movement which considerably facilitates the withdrawal of the plurality of value documents, e.g., the banknotes, from the compartment space. This opening movement can occur with respect to the base unit, which base unit may be mounted to the surrounding system or platform in which the cover device is integrated.
The fact that the first hinge axis, about which the first retaining element can be pivoted, is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal direction, along which the base unit extends, provides a rotational movement that moves the first retaining element closer to a center point or plane of the cover device and thus away from the user standing in front of the cover device. In other words, an access opening for providing an access for a user to reach into the compartment space and withdraw the plurality of value documents from the compartment space is enlarged, which makes the withdrawal of the plurality of value documents easier and more comfortable for the user.
Furthermore, the rotational movement that moves the first retaining element about the inclined hinge axis may tilt the first retaining element such that an outer lateral edge of the first retaining element that points away from the second retaining element is moved in an upward direction faster than an inner lateral edge of the first retaining element that points towards the second retaining element. Preferably, a size of the opening, e.g., an opening angle, of the outer lateral edge of the first retaining element is larger than a size of the opening of the inner lateral edge of the first retaining element when the first retaining element is opened. Therefore, the rotational movement of the first retaining element during its opening is also advantageous, particularly for banknote stacking systems, due to an improved contact between the first retaining element with a top edge of stacked banknotes. It is noted that the first and second retaining elements are spaced apart from each other and may therefore be arranged in juxtaposition to each other in the main longitudinal direction.
The base unit of the cover device may be a longitudinal component which extends in the main longitudinal direction. The first retaining element may be coupled to the base unit via the first coupling unit, such that the first retaining element may substantially extend perpendicular with respect to the main longitudinal direction. The first hinge axis may allow a pivot movement of the first retaining element relative to the base unit, i.e., about the hinge axis. This pivot movement of the first retaining element relative to the base unit may be a rotational movement by which the first retaining element is rotatable with respect to the base unit.
The second retaining element may also be coupled to the base unit, but at a different position than the first retaining element, such that the second retaining element and the first retaining element are spaced apart from one another in the main longitudinal direction. In particular, the main longitudinal direction may define a direction in which the first retaining element and the second retaining element are spaced apart from each other, for example when both retaining elements are in the closed position and/or when both retaining elements are in the opened position.
The first and/or second retaining element may have a flap-like structure, for example flaps having side walls which are angled with respect to each other to cover or enclose at least a part of the compartment space. The flaps may each include a coupling end at which the flaps are coupled to the base unit, a free end having an edge opposite to the coupling end, and inner and outer lateral edges connecting the coupling end and the free end. Due to their flap-like structures, the retaining elements may herein also be referred to as flaps or cover flaps.
The closed position may define a position or state of the first retaining element and the second retaining element in which both retaining elements cover at least a part of the compartment space. The opened position may define a position or state of the first retaining element and the second retaining element in which both retaining elements uncover a substantial part of the compartment space.
It is noted that the direction in which the first retaining element is pivoted relative to the base unit can be adjusted by the orientation of the first hinge axis with respect to the main longitudinal direction. In particular, the inclination of the first hinge axis with respect to the main longitudinal direction together with the possibly flap-like appearance of the first retaining element may facilitate the accessibility to the compartment space. In particular, the inclined hinge of the first hinge axis may allow the outer lateral edge of the respective cover flap to open up to a greater extent than the inner lateral edge when the cover flap is moved from the closed position to the opened position. This will provide a better usability to remove the plurality of value documents(s), e.g., the stack of banknotes, from the compartment space.
According to an embodiment, the cover device further comprises a second coupling element for pivotably coupling the second retaining element to the base unit such that the second retaining element is pivotable relative to the base unit between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the second coupling element defines a second hinge axis about which the second retaining element is pivotable relative to the base unit, and wherein the second hinge axis is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal direction.
The second retaining element may be coupled to the base unit in the same manner as the first retaining element is coupled to the base unit, but about another hinge axis. The first retaining element and the second retaining element may be arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a symmetry plane that is arranged perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction and located between the first and second retaining elements. In this case the center of the cover device would lie on said symmetry plane. With respect to this symmetry plane, the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis may thus be arranged symmetrically to each other. It is possible that also the base unit has a symmetrical shape with respect to said symmetry plane.
It is noted that the opened position of the second retaining element may correspond to the opened position of the first retaining element and that the closed position of the second retaining element may correspond to the closed position of the first retaining element. In particular, when both retaining elements are in their opened position, they may be spaced apart in the main longitudinal direction. Accordingly, when both retaining elements are in their closed position, they may also be spaced apart in the main longitudinal direction.
According to an embodiment, the first retaining element and the second retaining element define a first distance between each other in the main longitudinal direction when both the first retaining element and the second retaining element are in the closed position, wherein the first retaining element and the second retaining element define a second distance between each other in the main longitudinal direction when both the first retaining element and the second retaining element are in the opened position, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
In other words, when the first retaining element and second retaining element are both simultaneously moved from the closed position to the opened position, then a distance between the inner lateral edges of the first and second retaining elements decreases, i.e., a distance between both retaining elements is reduced. Accordingly, when the first retaining element and second retaining element are both simultaneously moved from the opened position to the closed position, then a distance between the inner lateral edges of the first and second retaining elements increases, i.e., a distance between both retaining elements is increased. During the opening or closing movements of the first and second retaining elements, the distance may be reduced or increased continuously.
According to an embodiment, the first retaining element has a coupling end which couples the first retaining element via the first coupling element to the base unit, wherein the first retaining element has a first free end defining a first edge, which first edge extends along a first edge extension direction, and wherein the first hinge axis is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal direction such that an angle between the main longitudinal direction and the first edge extension direction is changed upon movement of the first retaining element from the closed position to the opened position.
It is possible that, in the closed position, the first edge extension direction of the first edge at the free end of the first retaining element is substantially or exactly arranged parallel with respect to the main longitudinal direction. When the first retaining element is moved from the closed position to the opened position, an acute angle between the first edge extension direction and the main longitudinal direction may occur.
In an example, the second retaining element also has a coupling end which couples the second retaining element via the second coupling element to the base unit, wherein the second retaining element has a second free end defining a second edge, which second edge extends along a second edge extension direction, and wherein the second hinge axis is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal direction such that an angle between the main longitudinal direction and the second edge extension direction is changed upon movement of the second retaining element from the closed position to the opened position. It is possible that, in the closed position, the second edge extension direction of the second edge at the free end of the second retaining element is substantially or exactly arranged parallel with respect to the main longitudinal direction. When the second retaining element is moved from the closed position to the opened position, an acute angle between the second edge extension direction and the main longitudinal direction may occur.
According to an embodiment, the first hinge axis is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal direction such that the angle between the main longitudinal direction and the first edge extension direction is increased upon movement of the first retaining element from the closed position to the opened position.
This inclined arrangement of the first hinge axis with respect to the main longitudinal direction may cause the first edge extension direction to be increased continuously upon movement of the first retaining element from the closed position to the opened position.
In an example, also the second hinge axis is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal direction such that the angle between the main longitudinal direction and the above-mentioned second edge extension direction is increased upon movement of the second retaining element from the closed position to the opened position.
This inclined arrangement of the second hinge axis with respect to the main longitudinal direction may cause the second edge extension direction to be increased continuously upon movement of the second retaining element from the closed position to the opened position.
According to an embodiment, the main longitudinal direction and the first hinge axis define a horizontal plane.
In an example, the main longitudinal direction, the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis define a horizontal plane. This means that the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis may lie within the same plane. However, both axes may be angled with respect to each other in this horizontal plane. For example, both inclined hinge axes may show a V-shape in the horizontal plane. It should be understood that the horizontal plane may be a virtual plane defining the relative orientations of the axes and longitudinal direction within the cover device.
The base unit may include an upper side extending parallel with respect to said horizontal plane. Furthermore, at least a part of the first retaining element may include a wall that extends substantially parallel with respect to the horizontal plane when the first retaining element is in the closed position. Accordingly, at least a part of the second retaining element may include a wall that extends substantially parallel with respect to the horizontal plane when the second retaining element is in the closed position. In this case, said walls of the retaining elements may be substantially aligned or flush with the upper side of the base unit.
According to an embodiment, the first retaining element and the second retaining element are symmetrically arranged with respect to a symmetry plane that is perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction.
For example, the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis are symmetrically arranged with respect to said symmetry plane. It is possible that also the base unit has a symmetrical shape with respect to said symmetry plane.
According to an embodiment, the first retaining element is a flap-like element having two side walls being angularly arranged with respect to each other, wherein the side walls of the first retaining element define or enclose at least a part of the compartment space for retaining the plurality of value documents when the first retaining element is arranged in the closed position.
In an example, also the second retaining element is a flap-like element having two side walls being angularly arranged with respect to each other, wherein the side walls of the second retaining element define or enclose at least a part of the compartment space for retaining the plurality of value documents when the second retaining element is arranged in the closed position. In particular, the side walls of the first and/or second retaining element may delimit the compartment space and hinder the plurality of value documents from inadvertently falling out of the compartment space.
According to an embodiment, the base unit has a mounting mechanism for releasably mounting the base unit to a platform system via the first end of the base unit and via the second end of the base unit.
The platform system may be an external or surrounding system into which the cover unit is to be integrated to provide the above-indicated functions and advantages. The mounting mechanism may include locator pins, for example spring-loaded locator pins, to position or align the base unit within the platform system. The base unit may also include lateral side walls at the respective ends of the base unit. These lateral side walls and/or the locator pins may be spaced apart from each other in the main longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the lateral side walls and/or the locator pins may be symmetrically arranged to each other with respect to the symmetry plane that is perpendicular to the main longitudinal direction.
According to an aspect, the cover device as described herein is used for retaining banknotes in a banknote stacker compartment.
In particular, the cover device may fulfill the function of a retaining mechanism that prevents banknotes from falling out of a stacker compartment of a banknote output system, e.g., banknote stacker system. The cover device, as described herein, may advantageously provide an opening mechanism which helps the user of the system to access the stacker compartment in which the banknotes are collected before withdrawal by the user.
According to a further aspect, a system for retaining a plurality of value documents in a compartment space is provided. The system comprises the cover device as described herein. Said system also comprises a lower retaining unit having a free end defining a lower edge. The first retaining element has a free end defining a first upper edge, which may be the first edge extending along the first edge extension direction as described above. The lower edge is arranged opposite to the first upper edge and the first upper edge is inclined with respect to the lower edge when the first retaining element is in the opened position.
The system may be a banknote output system or a banknote stacker system, wherein the cover device may prevent banknotes from falling out of the compartment space, e.g., the stacker compartment of the banknote output system or the banknote stacker system. In contrast to the retaining elements of the cover device, the lower retaining unit may be fixedly mounted within the system. It is possible that also the base unit of the cover device may be fixedly mounted within the system. However, the base unit may be releasably mounted within the system, for example by means of a quick-release mechanism including the above-mentioned locator pins.
The first retaining element, e.g., the cover flap, of the cover device may be moved from the closed to the opened position as described above, such that the resulting opening that provides access to the stacker compartment space is designed to be at an angle. This will be described in more detail when referring to the description of the drawings hereinafter.
According to an embodiment, the lower edge is arranged substantially or exactly parallel with respect to the first upper edge when the first retaining element is in the closed position.
The lower edge may contact the first upper edge or may be spaced apart therefrom when the first retaining element is in the closed position.
According to an embodiment, the second retaining element has a free end defining a second upper edge, which may be the second edge extending along the second edge extension direction as described above. In this embodiment, the lower edge is arranged opposite to the second upper edge, wherein the second upper edge is inclined with respect to the lower edge when the second retaining element is in the opened position.
Like the first retaining element, the second retaining element carries out a movement similar to a tilting movement towards the center of the cover device when the retaining elements are moved from the closed position to the opened position. Therefore, both the first upper edge and the second upper edge will increase their inclination angle with respect to the main longitudinal direction and thus also with respect to the lower edge which is fixed within the system.
According to an embodiment, the lower edge is arranged substantially parallel with respect to the second upper edge when the second retaining element is in the closed position.
The lower edge may contact the second upper edge or may be spaced apart therefrom when the second retaining element is in the closed position.
According to an aspect, a banknote stacking module comprising the system as described herein is provided.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
The representations and illustrations in the drawings may be schematic and not to scale. A better understanding of the method and system described above may be obtained through a review of the shown illustrations together with a review of the detailed description that follows.
The cover device 1 further comprises a first retaining element 21 and a second retaining element 22, each of the first retaining element 21 and the second retaining element 22 being separately coupled to the base unit 10 such that the first retaining element 21 and the second retaining element 22 are spaced apart from one another in the main longitudinal direction 2. A first coupling element 31 pivotably couples the first retaining element 21 to the base unit 10 such that the first retaining element 21 can be pivoted relative to the base unit 10 between a closed position 5 and an opened position. It is noted that
The first coupling element 31 includes a first hinge axis 33 about which the first retaining element 21 can be pivoted relative to base unit 10. In particular, the pivot coupling between the base unit 10 and the first retaining element 21 allows for a rotational movement of the first retaining element 21 relative to the base unit 10 in order to move the first retaining element 21 from the closed position 5 into the opened position. In this regard, it is noted that the first hinge axis 33 is inclined, i.e., angled, with respect to the main longitudinal direction 2. For example, the main longitudinal direction 2 and the first hinge axis 33 may enclose an acute angle α. Said angle α may be between 1 degree and 45 degrees, between 2 degrees and 35 degrees, between 5 degrees and 25 degrees, or between 10 degrees and 20 degrees.
The cover device 1 also comprises a second coupling element 32 including a second hinge axis 34 which pivotably couples the second retaining element 22 to the base unit 10, for example in the same manner as the first coupling element 31 couples the first retaining element 21 to the base unit 10. In particular, the pivot coupling between the base unit 10 and the second retaining element 22 allows for a rotational movement of the second retaining element 22 relative to the base unit 10 in order to move the second retaining element 22 from the closed position 5 into the opened position. It is possible that also the second hinge axis 34 is inclined, i.e., angled, with respect to the main longitudinal direction 2 as shown in
The main longitudinal direction 2, the first hinge axis 33 and the second hinge axis 34 may all lie within a single plane and therefore define a horizontal plane as will be further described with respect to
The first retaining element 21 may include a flap-like element, such as shown in
The inclination of the first hinge axis 33 with respect to the main longitudinal direction 2 causes an angle between the main longitudinal direction 2 and the first edge extension direction 26 to change, e.g., increase, upon movement of the first retaining element 21 from the closed position 5 to the opened position 6 as shown in
In addition, the second retaining element 22 also has a first side wall 22a and a second side wall 22b being angularly arranged with respect to each other. Both side walls 22a, 22b together define at least a further part of the compartment space 110 when the second retaining element 22 is in the closed position 5. The second retaining element 22 is coupled to the base unit 10 via a coupling end 27 which is a part of the first side wall 22a. The second retaining element 22 further includes a second free end 28 defining a second edge 29, herein also referred to as second upper edge 29, wherein the second edge 29 extends along a second edge extension direction (not shown).
The inclination of the second hinge axis 34 with respect to the main longitudinal direction 2 also causes an angle between the main longitudinal direction 2 and the second edge extension direction to change, e.g., increase, upon movement of the second retaining element 22 from the closed position 5 to the opened position.
The system 100 further comprises a lower retaining unit 120 that, together with the retaining elements 21, 22, encloses at least a part of the compartment space 110 when the retaining elements 21, 22 are in the closed position 5. In
As indicated above, the system comprises the lower retaining unit 120. This lower retaining unit 120 has a free end 124 defining a lower edge 125. The lower retaining unit 120 may be curved and may include two protrusions extending upwardly with respect to the system 100, such that two lower edges 125 are provided at the lower retaining unit 120. As also indicated above, first retaining element 21 has the free end 24 defining the first upper edge 25 which extends along the first edge extension direction 26 (cf.
As can be seen from a comparison of
The same applies for the second retaining element 22. As indicated above and illustrated in
As can be seen from a comparison of
When in the opened position 6, the retaining elements 21, 22 generally provide access to the compartment space 110. In particular, due to the increasing angles of the edges 25, 29 of the respective retaining elements 21, 22, the retaining elements 21, 22 are tilted in such a way that the access to the compartment space 110 is further enlarged and therefore improved, as can be derived from
The resulting inclined stacker cover opening 111 assists the user when removing the banknotes 50 due to a change in contact of the retaining elements 21, 22 with a top edge of stacked banknotes 50, in particular when the user starts pulling out a stack of banknotes 50 from a full or partially filled stacker compartment space 110. This design therefore improves the usability of the stacker compartment space 110, for example if the user accesses the banknotes 50 from somewhere between front and right side of the system 100.
The cover device 1 and the system 100 as described herein may thus facilitate withdrawal of a plurality of value documents 50, for example banknotes 50, from a stacker compartment space 110. The cover device 1 particularly prevents the banknotes 50 output into the compartment space 110 from flying out of the compartment space 110 due to any reason. The cover device 1 is a detachable or modular accessory to the system 100. A user has flexibility to mount the cover device 1 into the system 100 or to remove it when not required.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202111057388 | Dec 2021 | IN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/025557 | 12/8/2022 | WO |
