Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for assembling sheets into a stack, the apparatus comprising a stacking station (24) having guide means (25) defining first and second guide surfaces fixed relatively to one another; first and second transport systems (2,3; 9,10,12) defining respective first and second paths, the first transport system being adapted to transport sheets along the first path to the stacking station and the second transport system (24) being adapted to transport sheets in both directions along the second path between positions upstream and downstream of the stacking station, wherein the guide means (25) is movable between first and second postions (25',25) whereby in the first position sheets fed along the first and second paths from positions upstream of the stacking station are guided along respective ones of the first and second guide surfaces past the guide means to a position downstream of the stacking station in the second path, and in the second position the guide means (25) enables sheets in the second path to be moved between positions upstream and downstream of the stacking station (24) along the second path guided by the second surface and prevents sheets from passing into the first path; and control means (31,M1,M2) for controlling operation of the first and second transport systems and the position of the guide means whereby when the guide means is in the first position, the speeds of the first and second transport systems are controlled such that sheets fed along the first and second paths from upstream of the stacking station are assembled together in a stack in the second path downstream of the stacking station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for assembling sheets into a stack, the apparatus comprising a stacking station (24) having guide means (25) defining first and second guide surfaces fixed relatively to one another; first and second transport systems (2,3; 9,10,12) defining respective first and second paths, the first transport system being adapted to transport sheets along the first path to the stacking station and the second transport system (24) being adapted to transport sheets in both directions along the second path between positions upstream and downstream of the stacking station, wherein the guide means (25) is movable between first and second postions (25',25) whereby in the first position sheets fed along the first and second paths from positions upstream of the stacking station are guided along respective ones of the first and second guide surfaces past the guide means to a position downstream of the stacking station in the second path, and in the second position the guide means (25) enables sheets in the second path to be moved between positions upstream and downstream of the stacking station (24) along the second path guided by the second surface and prevents sheets from passing into the first path; and control means (31,M1,M2) for controlling operation of the first and second transport systems and the position of the guide means whereby when the guide means is in the first position, the speeds of the first and second transport systems are controlled such that sheets fed along the first and second paths from upstream of the stacking station are assembled together in a stack in the second path downstream of the stacking station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide means (25) is biased towards the second position and is movable to the first position under control of the control means (31).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2,, wherein the control means includes a solenoid (34) coupled with the guide means (25) and operable to move the guide means at least to the first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide means (25) is non-rotatably mounted to a pivotally mounted shaft (26) coupled with the control means, whereby rotation of the shaft causes the guide means to move between the first and second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the solenoid (34) has a plunger (35) coupled to a radially extending arm (37) mounted to the shaft (26).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide means (25) comprises at least one wedge shaped guide member (25A,25B) defining tapering surfaces which constitute at least part of the first and second surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the or each guide member (25A,25B) is unitary.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control means includes first sheet sensing means (Sl) for sensing when a leading edge of a sheet in the first path is at a predetermined distance from the stacking station (24), the predetermined distance corresponding to the distance of a leading edge of the sheets (28) in the second path upstream from the stacking station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising second sensing means (S2) for detecting when a trailing edge of the assembled stack of sheets is at a predetermined position downstream of the stacking station (24) .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
Banknote feeding apparatus comprising apparatus according to any of the preceding claims; an input station associated with the first transport system whereby banknotes are fed into the first transport system at the input station; and an output station (30) downstream of the stacking station (24) and adjacent the second path.