State of the art It is important to maintain banknotes tidy without wrinkling them especially considering the widespread of automatic distributors which accept with difficulty crumpled or damaged banknotes.

The wallet currently in use can keep banknotes in good condition only if they are correctly positioned with care.

Summary of the invention It was now found a wallet which allows the housing of banknotes in perfect order and without crumpling or damaging them.

Brief description of the drawings The object of the invention will be illustrated making reference to the exemplified embodiments illustrated in the enclose Figures, which anyhow have no limiting purpose.

Figure 1 shows a lateral view of the wallet according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a lateral section of the wallet according to the invention, open.

Figure 3 show a cross section of the trailing axis, which is illustrated in Figure 4.

Figures 4 and 5 show an upper view respectively of the lower and of the upper valve of the wallet according to the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a posterior view of the wallet according to the invention.

Figure 7 schematically shows, in a cross section, an optional device to facilitate the banknote sliding.

Figure 8 schematically shows, in a cross section, a first clipping system to facilitate the banknote sliding.

Figure 9 schematically shows, in a cross section, a second clipping system to facilitate the banknote sliding.

Figure 10 schematically shows, in a cross section, a third lapping system to facilitate the banknote sliding.

In the enclose drawings the corresponding elements will be identified by the same reference numbers.

Description of the invention The present invention refers to a wallet comprising two valves (1a, 1b) which open by sliding each other along the line (a) according to arrow (A) up to the intersection of line (a) with line (b), the final overlapping of said valves (1a, 1b) being directly proportional to the dimensions of the internal sliding mechanism, the wallet further comprising a folding device, comprising a chute (2) driving the banknote wad towards a couple of friction wheels (3), coaxial each to the other, around which a banknote or the banknote wad winds, without relative sliding, in the direction of the arrow (B), a trailing axis (15) comprising an anti-return spring (4) around which the friction wheels (3) are positioned and two gear wheels (5) which slide on toothed tracks (6) disposed on the upper valve (1a) of the wallet; closing wings (10) disposed on the internal framework; and sliding guides (11) on the upper valve (1 a) on which the wings (12) of the lower valve (1 b) act.

In the description hereinafter"friction wheel"means a single wheel made of a material providing such a relevant friction with the surface against which the wheel is pressed that the wheel moves according a pure rolling movement without relative sliding with the surface.

Figure 1 shows a lateral view of the wallet according to the invention where (1a, 1b) are the two valves which open by sliding each other along the line (a) according to arrow (A) up to the intersection of line (a) with line (b). The final overlapping of said valves (1a, 1b) is directly proportional to the dimension of the friction wheels 3 and of the pocket (16), as clearly shown in Figure 2.

According to the preferred embodiments schematically shown in the Figures, the friction wheels 3 are made of rubber and are provided with teeth.

Figure 2 shows a section of the wallet according to the present invention when open. The banknotes are introduced through the chute (2) following the direction of arrow (C) and twine around the friction wheels (3) up to a suitable stopping point defined by line (c), such stopping point being illustrated only approximately.

Therefore the upper valve (1a) slides on the lower valve (1b) according to arrow (D) up to its total overlapping on the second and closing the wallet. At the same

time, the closing brings the friction wheels (3) to continue their movement according to arrow (B), further trailing the banknotes which will be folded on themselves forming an horizontal U around the friction wheels (3).

To prevent the rolling up of the banknotes around the friction wheels (3), the lower valve (1b) is provided with a separating tang (7) which will be better illustrated in Figure 4.

The upper valve (1a) is provided of an internal pocket (16) which helps the housing and the drawing of the banknotes. During the drawing the pocket (16) exerts a push on the banknotes so that they are pushed in a direction opposed to that indicated by the arrow (B).

The friction wheels (3) are transversally aligned on a trailing axis (15), the section of which is illustrated in Figure 3. Such trailing axis (15) consists of an anti-return spring (4) around which the friction wheels (3) are positioned. The anti-return spring (4) prevents the neutral movement of the trailing axis (15) and therefore of the friction wheels (3). This would in fact cause problems if the wallet is only partially opened: without the anti-return spring (4) the banknotes will come out in bulk making difficult their repositioning. At the ends of the trailing axis (15) there are the gear wheels (5) which move the trailing axis (15) during the opening and closing of valves (1a, 1b) by sliding on toothed tracks (6) as it will better illustrated in following Figures 4 and 5.

By gear wheel (5) it is intended according to the invention any mean or pin capable of allowing the movement of the trailing axis (15) following the sliding of the valves (1 a, 1 b).

Figures 4 and 5 show an upper view of the lower valve (1b) and of the upper one (1a), respectively.

The gear wheels (5) at the opposed ends of the trailing axis (15) present on the lower valve (1 b) interact with the toothed tracks (6) on the upper valve (1 a) so that, when the wallet is closed, the sliding of the upper valve (1a) on the lower valve (1b), as illustrated by arrow (D) in Figure 2, brings the toothed tracks (6) to move the gear wheels (5) and, by consequence, the trailing axis (15) and the friction wheels (3) causing the rolling up of the banknote around itself in a horizontal U position around the friction wheels (3). The separating tang (7) prevents the

banknotes to roll up around the friction wheels (3), perfunctorily illustrated in Figure 4 and partially hidden by the inferior framework (8) which drives the banknotes during their rolling up around the friction wheels (3). The trailing axis (15) can be lined in different ways.

When the wallet according to the invention is opened the gear wheels (5) move backwards the trailing axis (15) and, by consequence, the friction wheels (3) which push the banknote in a direction opposite to that of arrow (B). In order to make easier the drawing out of the banknote the separating tang (7) is provided with a chute (9).

If preferred the chute (2) can be lined with a rubber ring which behaves as a rolling-carpet to make easier the sliding of the banknotes.

If preferred the internal framework of the upper valve (1a) contacting the friction wheels (3) is provided with a rough surface, preferably made of elastomeric material, which also helps the sliding of the banknote.

Moreover, the valve (1 a) and (1 b) are provided of closing wing (10) on the internal framework.

The sliding of the two valve one on the other takes place on guides (11), present on the upper valve (1 a), which act on the wings (12) of lower valve (1 b).

In Figure 6, which shows the posterior view of the wallet according to the invention, the wings (12) and the female guides (11) are more evident.

If preferred the wallet according to the present invention will present on the external surface of the upper valve (1a) a knurling (13) which helps its sliding opening as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows another optional device to facilitate the banknote sliding, where a second wheel (20), coaxial with the friction wheels (3), is positioned near the friction wheels (3); the diameter and the axis of rotation of the second wheel (20) are chosen in such a way to form a restricted section (22) along the banknote wad path; the pressure that each of the wheels (3, respectively 20) applies on the other wheel (20, respectively 3) through the banknote wad in that restricted section (22) assures that the friction wheels (3), as well as the second wheel 20, roll without sliding relatively to the banknote wad, and the friction wheels (3) can easily catch and pull the banknote wad inside the wallet. Alternatively the banknote wad can be

pressed against the friction wheel (3), instead that with a second wheel (20), with a spring with a smooth surface (not represented), or just with a protruding portion 23 (Figures 8-10) which produces the restricted section 22.

Figures 8-10 show schematically further optional devices to facilitate the banknote sliding, wherein clip means (24,27,30) are positioned on the upper valve (1 a) in order to grasp and to pull inside banknote or banknote wad when closing said wallet.

Figure 8 shows a first known kind of clip means (24), positioned at the outer edge of the upper valve (1a), which consist of a first normally closed clip, shaped in a way to clip, when closed, a suitable thickness of banknote (s) and first cam means (25), integral with the lower valve (1b), which open the clip means (24) when the wallet is in the completely open configuration.

The first cam means (25) are shaped and positioned with respect to the clip, which is a leaf spring, in a way to open it when the wallet is completely open: the free end of clip enters the space between the upper surface of cam means (25) and the inner surface of the upper valve (1a) and flattens, so that the banknote or the banknote wad can be easily inserted by the user at the bottom of the pocket (21).

As soon as the two valves depart one from the other, the free edge (26) is no more flattened up by the cam means (25) and the clip presses and clips the banknote or the banknote wad, aiding the friction wheels (3) in pulling it inside.

Figures 9 shows a second known kind of clip means (27), positioned at the outer edge of the upper valve (1a), which consist of a second normally closed clip, shaped in a way to clip, when closed, a suitable thickness of banknote (s) and abutting end means (28), integral with the lower valve (1b) and which press (along the direction of the valve sliding) and open the clip means (27) when the wallet is in the completely open configuration.

When the wallet is completely open, the abutting end means (28) push an end (29) of the clip and deforms it so that the clip flattens, the curved part (33) of the clip raises and the banknote or the banknote wad can be easily inserted by the user at the bottom of the pocket (21).

As soon as the two valves depart one from the other, the deformation of the clip ceases and the banknote or the banknote wad is clipped and pulled inside the wallet.

Figure 10 shows a third known kind of clip means (30) positioned at the outer edge of the upper valve (1a), which consist of a third normally opened clip, shaped in a way to clip, when closed, a suitable thickness of banknote (s) and comprising a clip tooth (31) which clips the banknote (s) and a second cam means comprising a socket (32), positioned near the friction wheels (3), wherein the clip tooth (31) enters when the wallet is in the completely open configuration, so opening the clip means (30).

In fact, when the wallet is completely open and the clip tooth (31) enters the socket (32) in the upper surface of the lower valve (1b), the clip opens and is ready to grasp the banknote or the banknote wad which is inserted by the user.

As soon as the two valves (1 a, 1 b) depart one from the other, the clip tooth (31) is pushed out from the socket (32) and the clip grasps and pulls the banknote or the banknote wad inside the wallet.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention the skilled man can also implement this auxiliary clipping system choosing other shapes and kinds of clip means.

When an embodiment according to Figures 8,9 or 10 is realised, the tang (7) can be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.

The wallet of the invention allows the tidy positioning of a number of banknotes which depends on the mechanical characteristics of the friction wheels (3).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the ordered banknotes are about 25.

Preferably the banknotes are bigger then 6x12 cm.

The state of the banknotes before their insertion does not affect the working of the wallet since the surface of the friction wheels (3) and the fact that they directly contact the external framework always allow the adherence requested for the trailing. In fact the friction wheels (3) bend by contacting the banknote to be inserted in a manner which is directly dependent on the number of banknotes which are present in the wallet.

The drawing of the banknotes according to the invention can be performed on a singular banknote or on their totality.

The wallet according to the invention can present a housing (14) on the exterior of one or both the valves (1a, 1b) for credit cards, cards or plastic cards; in Figure 6 the opening of the housing is shown. Such housing (14) can have at least a notch, preferably oval, in the middle and/or near the opening in order to make it easier the drawing by sliding of the card and, moreover, a thickness spring to avoid the collapse of the cards if they are too few in respect of the capacity of the housing (14).

If desired the separating tang (7) can be a glove compartment.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.