De La Rue Systems Ltd.

Trevor J Conner

David R Worsley

Simon George Calverley

Martin Lane

Christopher J Dixon

Roy E Winchester

Michael G Jackson

Sheet feeding apparatus for example for use as a banknote counter comprises a stripper system having a pair of rollers; and a banknote detection system including two pairs of rollers defining respective nips into which single notes are fed by the stripper system. The relative deflection of the sheet detection system rollers due to the passage of a sheet through the nips is monitored in use. The stripper system rollers and the rollers of the sheet detection system are substantially coaxially mounted on a shaft and are driven by a common drive motor.

Sheet feeding apparatus and method

A method monitors the length of sheets, such as banknotes, passing a predetermined position. The length of a sheet is monitored at two laterally spaced locations, and the difference between the monitored lengths is compared. If the difference is small, this indicates that both monitored lengths are an accurate indication of the length of the sheet. An average of the two monitored lengths is determined and compared with at least one predetermined reference value to determine the acceptability of the sheet. If the average falls within a predetermined range, the sheet is acceptable.

Monitoring sheet length

Apparatus which carries out a method for monitoring the length of sheets (such as banknotes) passing a predetermined position includes two pairs of rollers 1, 2 defining respective nips 5, 6 through which a sheet passes. The passage of a sheet causes radial movement of portions 11 of the rollers 2 which is detected by detectors 12 mounted in a shaft 4. The passage of a sheet causes respective counters 15, 16 to be incremented at a relatively fast sheet. The length of the sheet is determined by monitoring the counter, counters 15 and 16, during the plurality of successive intervals. The leading edge of the sheet appears during the first of the successive intervals and the trailing edge of the sheet appears during the last of the successive intervals. The total length of the sheet is determined by counting the total number of intervals between the first and last interval and counting a portion of the first and last intervals, respectively, determined by the ratio of the counter in the first and last intervals and immediately following and preceding intervals, respectively.

Unstrapping apparatus for removing a strap (2) from a pack of sheets (1) initially contained in the strap is described. The apparatus comprises an input station including a blade (31) for cutting the strap (2) and a hook (59) for engaging the cut strap and carrying the strap to an association station (72). A feed transfer module (79) passes the unstrapped sheets to a doubles detect system and an authentication system (81, 83) for sorting the sheets into acceptable and unacceptable sheets. Unfit sheets, as determined by the doubles detect and authentication systems (81, 83) are transported to the association station (72) where they are stapled by a stapler (73) with the strap (2).

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Hampshire, United Kingdom

Trevor J Conner