Apparatus and method for filling a thin-walled transport container

Abstract

A device (10, 100) for supplying notes of pecuniary value (24) to a thin-walled transport container (12) includes a stacking unit (20) for stacking the notes of pecuniary value (24) to be supplied to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value in a stacking region (26). In addition, the device (10, 100) has a closure unit (40) which, in a closed position, is arranged in such a manner that it closes the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12) and which, in an open position, is arranged in such a manner that notes of pecuniary value (24) are suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12)

Claims

1. A device (10, 100) for filling a thin-walled transport container comprising an opening with notes of pecuniary value, comprising a stacking unit (20) for stacking the notes of pecuniary value (24) to be supplied to the thin-walled transport container (12) in a stacking region (26) arranged outside the transport container (12), to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value; and a closure unit (40) which, in a closed position, closes the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12) by at least an amount such that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is not suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), and which, in an open position, is arranged in such a manner that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), the closure unit (40) comprising a flexible blind (42) that includes a first end region (200), a second end region (202), a fastening region (204), a first intermediate region (206) between the first end region (200) and the fastening region (204) and a second intermediate region (208) between the second end region (202) and the fastening region (204), the fastening region (204) of the blind (42) being fastened on a rod (44) that is rotatable by a drive unit, and, in the closed position, both the first intermediate region (206) and the second intermediate region (208) close the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12) at least in part.

2. The device (10, 100) of claim 1, wherein the first intermediate region (206) and the second intermediate region (208) are parallel to one another in the closed position.

3. The device (10, 100) of claim 2, wherein the rod (44), in the closed position, is arranged in a space defined by the first intermediate region (206) and the second intermediate region (208) of the blind (42).

4. A device for filling a thin-walled transport container comprising an opening with notes of pecuniary value, comprising a stacking unit (20) for stacking the notes of pecuniary value (24) to be supplied to the thin-walled transport container (12) in a stacking region (26) arranged outside the transport container (12), to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value; and a closure unit (40) which, in a closed position, closes the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12) by at least an amount such that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is not suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), and which, in an open position, is arranged in such a manner that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), the closure unit (40) including a flexible blind (42) having opposite ends, the closure unit (40) further having a rod (44), at least a part of the blind (42) being wound around the rod (44) and being unwindable from the rod (44) so that at least one of the ends of the blind (42) is selectively movable relative to the rod (44) between the closed position and the open position; wherein an end region (152) of the blind (42) is fastened on the rod (44) that is rotatable by a drive unit, a first length of the blind (42) being wound on the rod (44) in the closed position and a second length of the blind (42) being wound on the rod (44) in the open position, and the second length being longer than the first length; and wherein the drive unit moves the rod (44) in a translatory manner for winding and unwinding the blind (42) and rotates the rod (44) about its longitudinal axis.

5. A device for filling a thin-walled transport container comprising an opening with notes of pecuniary value, comprising a stacking unit (20) for stacking the notes of pecuniary value (24) to be supplied to the thin-walled transport container (12) in a stacking region (26) arranged outside the transport container (12), to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value; and a closure unit (40) which, in a closed position, closes the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12) by at least an amount such that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is not suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), and which, in an open position, is arranged in such a manner that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), the closure unit (40) including a flexible blind (42) having opposite ends, the closure unit (40) further having a rod (44), at least a part of the blind (42) being wound around the rod (44) and being unwindable from the rod (44) so that at least one of the ends of the blind (42) is selectively movable relative to the rod (44) between the closed position and the open position; wherein an end region (152) of the blind (42) is fastened on the rod (44) that is rotatable by a drive unit, a first length of the blind (42) being wound on the rod (44) in the closed position and a second length of the blind (42) being wound on the rod (44) in the open position, and the second length being longer than the first length; and further comprising a toothed wheel (164) non-rotatably connected on at least one end region of the rod (44), the toothed wheel (164) engaging a fixed-in-position toothed rod (154, 156), and the rod (44) being connected fixedly to a belt (160) that is drivable in a direction of the toothed rod (154, 156) by the drive unit.

6. A device for filling a thin-walled transport container comprising an opening with notes of pecuniary value, comprising a stacking unit (20) for stacking the notes of pecuniary value (24) to be supplied to the thin-walled transport container (12) in a stacking region (26) arranged outside the transport container (12), to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value; and a closure unit (40) which, in a closed position, closes the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12) by at least an amount such that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is not suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), and which, in an open position, is arranged in such a manner that the stack of notes of pecuniary value is suppliable to the thin-walled transport container (12), the closure unit (40) including a flexible blind (42) having opposite ends, the closure unit (40) further having a rod (44), at least a part of the blind (42) being wound around the rod (44) and being unwindable from the rod (44) so that at least one of the ends of the blind (42) is selectively movable relative to the rod (44) between the closed position and the open position; wherein an end region (152) of the blind (42) is fastened on the rod (44) that is rotatable by a drive unit, a first length of the blind (42) being wound on the rod (44) in the closed position and a second length of the blind (42) being wound on the rod (44) in the open position, and the second length being longer than the first length; wherein the stacking unit (20) includes a supplying element (46) for supplying the stack of notes of pecuniary value stacked in the stacking region (26) into the receiving region of the thin-walled transport container (12), the supplying element (46), in a first step, presses the stack of notes of pecuniary value against the closure unit (40) that is arranged in the closed position, a drive unit, in a second step, moves the closure unit (40) into the open position, and the supplying element (46), in a third step, moves the stack of notes of pecuniary value into the receiving region of the thin-walled transport container (12), wherein the supplying element (46) projects through the stacking region (26) and is arranged at least in part inside the thin-walled transport container (12); and wherein, once the stack of notes of pecuniary value has been supplied, the drive unit, in a fourth step, moves the closure unit (40) into a retaining position in which the closure unit is arranged between the open position and the closed position, and in which the closure unit is arranged so that the supplying element (46) is able to project through the stacking region (26) into the thin-walled transport container (12).

7. The device (10, 100) of claim 6, wherein, in the retaining position, the blind (42) is wound on the rod (44) by a third length, and the third length being longer than the first length and shorter than the second length.

8. The device (10, 100) of claim 6, wherein after the fourth step, the supplying unit (46) is moved again in such a manner in a fifth step that it is arranged outside the stacking region (26), and in that the drive unit, in a sixth step, moves the closure unit (40) into the closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for supplying notes of pecuniary value to a thin-walled transport container according to a first embodiment in a first operating state.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the device of the thin-walled transport container according to FIG. 1 in a second operating state.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the device and of the thin-walled transport container according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a third operating state.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a schematic, perspective representation of a device for supplying notes of pecuniary value to a thin-walled transport container according to a second embodiment, looking onto a rear side of the device.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a further schematic, perspective representation of the device according to FIG. 4, looking at a front side.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a further schematic, perspective representation of the device according to FIGS. 4 and 5 looking at the front side.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a sectional representation through the device according to FIGS. 4 to 6.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a schematic, perspective representation of a closure unit of the device according to FIGS. 4 to 7.

(9) FIG. 9 shows a sectional representation of a device for supplying notes of pecuniary value to a thin-walled transport container according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 for supplying notes of pecuniary value to a thin-walled transport container 12 in a first operating state. The thin-walled transport container 12 is, in particular, a thin plastic bag in which the notes of pecuniary value are received for subsequent transport. Such a plastic bag for receiving notes of pecuniary value is frequently also designated as a safebag.

(11) To fill with the notes of pecuniary value, the safebag 12 is rotated to the left such that, as long as no notes of pecuniary value are received therein, its inside surface 16 is directed outward and its outside surface 18 is directed inward. The safebag 12 is inverted over a closure frame 14, as a result of which an opening is realized through which the notes of pecuniary value can be supplied to the safebag 12. Once the safebag 12 has been completely filled with notes of pecuniary value, the oppositely situated elements of the closure frame 14 are moved toward one another, as a result of which the opening of the safebag 12 is irreversibly closed. In particular, there are provided latching elements which latch into one another to close the safebag 12 such that they are not able to be released again in a non-destructive manner such that access to the notes of pecuniary value received in the safebag 12 is only possible by destroying the closure frame 14 and/or the safebag 12 itself.

(12) The device 10 includes a stacking unit 20 which has a supplying channel 22, along which the notes of pecuniary value to be supplied to the safebag 12, of which one is designated with the reference 24 as an example, are suppliable into a stacking region 26 in which the notes of pecuniary value 24 are stacked with their edges 28 resting on a supporting element 30 to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value.

(13) The stacking unit 20 comprises at least one impeller 32 which includes several blades 34, a note of pecuniary value to be supplied to the stacking region 26 being stacked by means of the blade 34 of the impeller 32 by the note of pecuniary value supplied the last being pressed against the other notes of pecuniary value 24 of the stack of notes of pecuniary value by the blades 34 impacting against the note of pecuniary value supplied the last and consequently against a first end face of the stack of notes of pecuniary value.

(14) In addition, the device 10 includes a closure unit 40 which is arranged in a closed position shown in FIG. 1 in such a manner that it closes the stacking region 26 in the direction of the safebag 12 and consequently closes the opening of the safebag 12 such that the notes of pecuniary value 24 are not yet able to be supplied to the safebag 12. By means of the impeller 32, the stack of notes of pecuniary value is pressed against the closure unit 40 which is arranged in the closed position such that a second end face of the stack of notes of pecuniary value which is located opposite the first end face contacts the closure unit 40. The achievement here is that a region located in front of the first end face of the stack of notes of pecuniary value is kept open such that the notes of pecuniary value 24 supplied by means of the supplying channel 22 are able to be supplied in an unobstructed manner to said region.

(15) The closure unit 40 is realized in particular in the form of a Venetian blind 42 which is arranged fixedly on a rotatable rod 44. In the closed position, the Venetian blind 42 is wound to the greatest degree from the rod 44 such that the opening of the safebag 12 is closed.

(16) Once all the notes of pecuniary value 24 of the stack of notes of pecuniary value to be supplied have been stacked in the stacking region 26 to form a stack of notes of pecuniary value, a supplying element 46 of the stacking unit 20, which is also called a tamper, is moved from an initial position in which it is arranged outside the stacking region 26 by such an amount in a translatory manner in the direction of the arrow P1 that it presses against the first end face of the stack of notes of pecuniary value and consequently presses the stack of notes of pecuniary value against the Venetian blind 42. Said first operating state is shown in FIG. 1.

(17) As shown in the second operating state in FIG. 2, the rod 44 is then rotated in the direction of the arrow P2 such that the Venetian blind 42 is moved in the direction of the arrow P3 by being wound on the rod 44 until it is arranged in an open position shown in FIG. 2 in which it opens up the opening of the safebag 12 at least by such an amount that the notes of pecuniary value 24 of the stack of notes of pecuniary value are able to be supplied to the safebag 12. Once the Venetian blind 42 has been arranged in the open position, the supplying element 46 is moved further in the direction of the arrow P1 such that it supplies the stack of notes of pecuniary value to the safebag 12, wherein it presses against the outwardly inverted inside surface 16 of the safebag 12 and consequently gradually turns the safebag 12 the other way out such that the inside surface 18 of the safebag 12 is once again arranged on the inside and the notes of pecuniary value 24 contact the same.

(18) Once the notes of pecuniary value 24 of the stack of notes of pecuniary value have been supplied to the safebag 12, the rod 44 is rotated in opposition to the direction P2 such that the Venetian blind 42 is unwound from the rod 44 and is consequently moved in the direction of the arrow P4, that is in opposition to the direction of the arrow P3, until the Venetian blind 42 is arranged in a retaining position in which it closes the opening of the safebag 12 in part, but it is only open by such an amount that the supplying element 46 is still able to be moved back in the direction of the arrow P5, that is in opposition to the direction of the arrow P1, into the initial position. The achievement consequently is that the notes of pecuniary value supplied to the safebag 12 are held back by the Venetian blind 42 which is arranged in the retaining position and the supplying element 46 is nevertheless able to be moved back into the initial position such that it is possible to deposit the notes of pecuniary value securely in the safebag 12. This state is shown in FIG. 3.

(19) Once the supplying unit 46 is arranged in its initial position again, the Venetian blind 42 is unwound further from the rod 44 until it is once again arranged in the closed position. Consequently, further notes of pecuniary value 24 can now be stacked in the stacking region 26 to form a new stack of notes of pecuniary value which can then be supplied to the safebag 12 in an analogous manner to the previously described method.

(20) The Venetian blind 42 is wound on the rod 44 in the closed position in particular by a first length, in the open position by a second length and in the retaining position by a third length, wherein the first length is shorter than the third length and the third length, in turn, is shorter than the second length.

(21) In the case of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the Venetian blind 42 is wound onto a rod 44 which is fixed in position. As described below in more detail in conjunction with FIGS. 4 to 8, the Venetian blind can, however, also be wound on a rod moved in a translatory manner in the direction of the arrows P3 or P4 such that a particularly simple, compact design is achieved.

(22) FIG. 4 shows a schematic, perspective representation of a device 100 for supplying notes of pecuniary value to a safebag 12 (not shown) according to a second embodiment. Elements with the same design or the same function have the same references. FIG. 4, in this connection, shows a direction of view onto a rear side of the device 100, said rear side being that side on which the safebag 12 is arranged.

(23) FIGS. 5 and 6 each show a schematic, perspective representation of the device 100, looking at a front side which is located opposite the rear side. FIG. 7 shows a sectional representation through the device 100 according to FIGS. 4 to 6.

(24) The stacking unit 20 comprises a first guiding element 102 and a second guiding element 104, between which is realized the supplying channel 22 for supplying the notes of pecuniary value 24, the notes of pecuniary value 24 being supplied in the direction of the arrow P7 to the stacking unit 20 by a supplying unit which is not shown. Several pairs of rollers, one of which is shown as an example with reference 106, project through the guiding elements 102, 104. The notes of pecuniary value are transported by said pairs of rollers 106 in the direction of the arrow P7 to the stacking region 26, for which purpose at least one roller of each pair of rollers 106 is driven. The notes of pecuniary value 24, in this connection, are deflected by the predefined angle, in particular by approximately 90 degrees, such that they rest with their edges on the supporting element 30.

(25) The stacking region 26 is defined by the supporting element 30, the closure unit 40, in particular the Venetian blind 42, as well as by a rear wall 108. The notes of pecuniary value 24 are supplied to the stacking region 26 in the region of the rear wall 108 and by means of the blades 34 of the impeller 32 are pressed away from the rear wall 108 against the Venetian blind 42 such that a region between the stack of notes of pecuniary value supplied up to now and the rear wall 108 is opened up for the supplying of further notes of pecuniary value 24.

(26) A total of five impellers 32, which are also designated as paddle wheels, are provided in the case of the second embodiment. Each impeller 32 comprises four symmetrically arranged blades 34 which are elastically deformable such that they are deformed by other components of the stacking unit 20 when rotating about the longitudinal axis of the impeller 32 which means that not the entire radius of the impeller 32 has to be left free, but the blades 34 are bent by the other components and do not impact against the notes of pecuniary value 24 until in the stacking region 26.

(27) The impellers 32 are arranged on a common shaft 116 and are non-rotatably connected to said shaft. In particular further rollers 118, which, together with further rollers 122 which are arranged on a further shaft 120, form pairs of rollers by means of which the supplied notes of pecuniary value are transported in the direction of the stacking region 26, are also arranged on the shaft 116. Consequently, a particularly simple and compact design is achieved. In particular, it is consequently ensured that the impellers 32 and the rollers 118, 122 are driven at the same speed such that it is possible to supply notes of pecuniary value in a reliable manner. In particular, as a result of the supplying by means the impellers 32, it is possible to supply the notes of pecuniary value 24 to the stacking region 26 at a minimum spacing between one another, in particular at absolutely no spacing between one another, and nevertheless to stack them securely.

(28) A toothed wheel 126, which meshes with a toothed wheel 130 arranged on a journal 128, is arranged on one end region of the shaft 116. A further toothed wheel 132, which engages with a toothed belt 126 which is driven by means of a first step motor 134, is arranged on the journal 128 such that the shaft 116 is drivable in a simple manner by means of the step motor 134, as a result of which the impellers 32 are consequently also made to rotate.

(29) A further toothed wheel arrangement 138, by means of which the shaft 116 is coupled with the shaft 120, is provided on an end region of the shaft 116 which is located opposite the region on which the toothed wheel 126 is arranged such that the shaft 120 is also simultaneously driven.

(30) The stacking unit 20 includes two further step motors 140, 142, one of said two step motors 140, 142 serving to move the closure unit 46 (not shown) and the other of the two step motors 140, 142 serving to close the closure frame 14. To simplify the representation, the corresponding transmission means for transmitting the force from the step motors 140, 142 to the supplying unit 46 or to the closure unit for closing the closure frame 14 are not shown.

(31) Over and above this, the stacking unit 20 comprises a sensor unit 144, by means of which the notes of pecuniary value 24 to be stacked are able to be detected, the detecting region of the sensor unit 144 being directed, in particular, through a recess 146 of the Venetian blind 42. To simplify the representation, the sensor unit 144 is not shown in FIG. 6.

(32) FIG. 8 shows a schematic, perspective representation of the closure unit 40 in the closed position. A first end 150 of the Venetian blind 42, in this connection, is fastened fixedly on the stacking unit 20. The second end 152 of the Venetian blind 42 which is located opposite the first end 150 is fastened on the rod 44. A toothed wheel 164, which is non-rotatably connected to the rod 44 and which in each case engages in a fixed-in-position toothed rod 154, 156 of the closure unit 40, is arranged in each case on the end regions of the rod 44. In addition, a clamp 158 is arranged on one end region of the rod 44, the rod 44 being connected to the clamp 158 in such a manner that it is mounted on said clamp so as to be rotatable in relation to the clamp 154.

(33) The stacking unit 20 includes a further step motor which is covered by other components in FIGS. 4 to 7 and is consequently not visible. By means of said further step motor, a belt 160, which is guided by means of several toothed wheels, is movable in the direction of the double arrow P8. The clamp 158 is connected to the belt 160 by means of a clamping connection such that the clamp 158 is moved simultaneously when the belt 160 moves.

(34) If the belt 160, starting from the position shown in FIG. 8, is moved in the direction of the arrow P3, that is upward, the clamp 158 and consequently the rod 44 are also moved simultaneously in the direction of the arrow P3. As the rod 44 is mounted so as to be rotatable in relation to the clamp 158 and by means of the toothed wheels meshes in the toothed rods 154, 156, the rod 44, in this connection, is made to rotate such that the Venetian blind 42 is wound on the rod 444 such that the Venetian blind 42 is moved from the closed into the open position.

(35) In a corresponding manner, when the belt 160 is moved in the direction of the arrow P4, the rod 44 is also moved in the direction of the arrow P4 and made to rotate correspondingly, as a result of which the Venetian blind 42 is unwound from the rod 44 and is closed.

(36) In addition, the closure unit 40 includes a protective guard 162 which defines a winding space at least in part, inside which the rod 44 is arranged and inside which the Venetian blind 42, in a manner comparable to a Venetian blind housing, is wound in a protected manner.

(37) In the case of an alternative embodiment of the invention, only one toothed rod 154, 156 can also be provided and in a corresponding manner also only one toothed wheel 164. It is equally possible as an alternative to this for clamps 158 and belts 158, 160 to be arranged on both sides of the rod 44 such that the rod 44 is guided in a secure manner on both sides.

(38) The Venetian blind 42 is produced, in particular, from a woven fabric such that said woven fabric comprises good strength and is nevertheless able to be wound on the rod 44 in a simple and space-saving manner. As an alternative to this, the Venetian blind 42 can also be realized from elements which are strung together in the manner of a chain.

(39) In addition, as an alternative to this it is possible to use in place of a Venetian blind 42 a rigid closure unit 40 which is moved in a translatory manner in the direction of the arrows P3 or P4 for closing and opening. The advantage of the Venetian blind 42 compared to such a rigid unit is that it requires less installation space.

(40) FIG. 9 shows a sectional representation of a device for supplying notes of pecuniary value to a thin-walled transport container 12 according to a third embodiment. The device 100 according to FIG. 9 differs from the device 100 according to the second embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 8 essentially in that the Venetian blind 42 is divided into two regions 206, 208 which in each case close the opening in the closed position. To this end, a first end region 200 of the Venetian blind 42 and a second part region 202 of the Venetian blind 42 are in each case fastened fixedly on the stacking unit 20. A fastening region 204 is fastened on the rod 44 such that the Venetian blind 42 is consequently divided into a first intermediate region 206 and a second intermediate region 208, the first intermediate region 206 being arranged between the first end region 202 and the fastening region 204 and the second intermediate region 208 being arranged between the fastening region 204 and the second end region 202. Consequently a double Venetian blind 42 is realized which, compared to the second embodiment, ensures that in the closed position no notes of pecuniary value which have already been supplied to the thin-walled transport container 12 rest on the protective guard 162 that covers the rod 44. Consequently, the rod 44 and the protective guard 162 are surrounded on both sides by the two intermediate regions 206, 208 of the Venetian blind 42 such that, in the closed position, no notes of pecuniary value can catch on the rod 44 or on the protective guard 162.

(41) If the rod 44 is moved upward and in this connection is rotated by means of the engagement with the toothed rod 156, both intermediate regions 206, 208 are wound on the rod 44 lying one on top of the other such that the opening is open and notes of pecuniary value are able to be supplied to the thin-walled transport container 12. As a result, the achievement is in particular that both intermediate regions 206, 208 can be opened and closed uniformly and simultaneously by means of only one drive unit. Consequently, a particularly simple design is achieved which is easy to actuate.

(42) In the case of a further alternative embodiment of the invention, two separate Venetian blinds 42 can also be provided, in each case one end region of said Venetian blinds 42 corresponding to the end regions 200 and 202 being fastened on the stacking unit 20 and in each case the other end region of the two Venetian blinds 42 being fastened on the rod 44.