Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device to convey one or more piled sheets and deposit them inside a compartment of an automatic dispensing machine for banknotes and the like, e.g. in the machines used in banks by cashiers to pay in and withdraw banknotes automatically. Background Art

In PCT Application n° WO-94/14140 is disclosed an automatic delivery machine for banknotes which comprises a box-like body in which there is a plurality of dispensing devices, each served by a storage-magazine fitted onto the box-like body. Each wad of banknotes is deposited on a support plane which comprises a pair of mobile blades belonging to a conveyor device associated with a particular compartment. The operator, working through a terminal, controls the activation of the conveyor to deposit the wads in the appropriate dispenser-magazines. This operation is performed by moving the support plane downward towards the base of the compartment until the base itself, or the top of the pile of banknotes already deposited, is reached. At this point the blades are opened in such a way as to deposit the wad on the base of the

magazine or on top of the pile of banknotes contained therein.

In addition to the general security requirements, as for example that of avoiding the access to the banknotes in the compartments, it is required a high degree of reliability during the normal operation of the machine. However, the depositing of the banknotes by free-fall does not allow the correct positioning of the banknotes in the pile to be controlled. This may lead to malfunctioning of the means of automatic delivery during withdrawal of banknotes from the dispenser-magazine.

Depositing the banknotes by free-fall could lead to one or more of the banknotes on the top of the wad, which are not restrained by the weight of other notes on top of them, obstructing the delivery outlet of the magazine. The means of withdrawal take the banknotes from the bottom of the pile and direct them towards the delivery outlet, which could be blocked by other banknotes, with a resulting jamming of the means of withdrawal.

Another drawback lies in the possibility of a folded banknote i.e. one not completely stretched out, being at the top of the wad. In such case, the folding of the banknote would prevent it from being delivered if it were the last in the magazine; the means of delivery - generally two or more aligned rollers - could not grip the

banknote.

Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the present art.

Within the scope of this aim, one object is the realization of a device for the conveying and depositing of one or more sheets in an orderly way in a compartment.

Another object of the present invention is the realization of a device for conveying and depositing banknotes in a compartment, which limits or, at best, prevents possible malfunctions during the delivery of banknotes from the compartment.

A further object of the present invention is the realization of an automatic dispensing machine for banknotes having an improved degree of security and reliability.

These objects are achieved by the present invention, which relates to a device for conveying and depositing banknotes, or other material in sheets, in a pile inside a compartment, the device comprising a mobile element moving on command between an upper banknote-receiving position and a lower position depositing the banknotes in the compartment, together with a means of supporting the banknotes during their conveyance, associated with the mobile element and rotatable with respect to the same

mobile element to effect the release of the banknotes into their compartment, characterized by the means of support and release comprising at least two substantially rectangular planar portions articulated and hinged together along their longer sides, the portions being rotatable with respect to each other from being substantially reciprocally aligned to being relatively rotated between themselves to allow the banknotes to be deposited in the compartment.

Preferably, the means of support and release comprise a first portion connected by shaft to the mobile element and able to rotate about an axis parallel to its longer side, a second portion located opposite the first portion and a third intermediate portion hinged along its longer sides to the said first and second portions.

In particular, when the portions are reciprocally aligned, each portion can rotate in one direction only with respect to the adjacent portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, resilient means are provided to return in a substantially aligned position the portions of the means of support and release.

In operation, the means of support and release move together with the mobile element, with the aforementioned portions reciprocally aligned, and accompanies the wad of

banknotes until the base of the compartment or the top of the pile of banknotes already deposited there is reached. At this point the descent of the mobile element is interrupted and rotation of the first portion pivoted to the mobile element is initiated. This allows the other portions to rotate and slip out from under the wad transported, with a movement very similar to a hand which lays the banknotes delicately on the base of the compartment or on top of the existing pile. A further advantage over existing systems known in the art is that in the case of a completely empty compartment, the first banknotes released are deposited delicately on the leafing device without heaping which could jam the dispenser. According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the portions are reciprocally aligned to form a plane substantially parallel to the base of the compartment when the means of support and release are brought in contact with the top of a pile inside the compartment. The means of support and release can exert a light pressure on the banknotes below, even when there are no banknotes to deposit, to assist the dispensing device in cases where there are folded banknotes.

According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided mobile retaining members, co-operating with the means of support and release to retain a wad or a

banknote in correspondence of the upper banknote-receiving position.

In particular, the retaining members comprise a first retaining member having a substantially rectangular bottom portion and a substantially rectangular side portion perpendicular to each other along respective ones of their longer sides. The first retaining member is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the means of support and release.

A second retaining member, also having a substantially rectangular- shape, is hinged to a longer side of the first retaining member and rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the first retaining member. According to an advantageous feature of the present invention, the device comprises a plurality of free¬ wheeling rollers projecting from the lower and/or the upper part of the means of support and release. In one of the embodiment, the rollers projecting from the lower part engage with corresponding feeder rollers positioned on the base of the compartment. These rollers allow the withdrawal of the means of support and release without causing undesired back-folding of the banknotes already present, or any damage to the base of the compartment. In addition, the second portion of the means of support

and release can be provided with a plurality of rollers projecting from its longer side opposite that hinged to the intermediate portion. These rollers are partially housed in corresponding cut-outs in the edge and are free to rotate on one or more pivots substantially in line with the edge. The rollers rotating in line with the edge of the second portion are to facilitate the movement of the wad on its release. In particular, because of the rollers, it is always the lowest banknote in the wad which is most advanced towards the outlet from the compartment. This avoids possible blockage which might be caused in the systems known at present by banknotes from the top of the wad obstructing the outlet from the compartment and interfering with the withdrawal of banknotes from the bottom of the existing pile by the delivery devices. Best mode for carrying out the invention

These and other advantages will be more obvious from the illustrative and non-limiting description of the invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 is an elevation view of the device for conveying and depositing the banknotes according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 2 shows a detail of the device in Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 is a side view of a cross-section of a compartment with which the device in Fig. 1 is associated;

- Fig. 4 is a plan view, from below, of the means of support and release according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 5 is a side view of the means of support and release in Fig. 4 with the hinged portions in alignment;

- Fig. 6 is a side view of the means of support and release in Fig. 4 with the hinged portions partially rotated ;

- Figs. 7A to 7F are side views of a compartment illustrating various phases of the deposit of a wad of banknotes according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 8 is a top view of the means of support and release according to another embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 9 is a top view of the retaining members to be coupled with the means of support and release in Fig. 8;

- Fig. 10 is a front elevation view of a further embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

- Fig. 11 is a view of a detail according to the embodiments shown in Figs. 8 to 10;

- Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the means of support and release, in assembled condition, taken along the line XII- XII in Fig. 8;

- Fig. 13 is a top view of a detail of the means of

support and release according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8;

- Fig. 14 is a view of a detail in Fig. 10;

- Fig. 15 is a side view of the retaining members in direction of arrow V in Fig. 9, with a sectional view of the means of support and release, in assembled condition, taken along the line XV- XV in Fig. 8;

- Fig. 16 is a schematic view, in side elevation and section plane, of an automatic dispensing machine for banknotes;

- Fig. 17 shows a detail of a compartment of the machine in Fig. 16;

- Fig. 18 shows a detail of the machine in Fig. 16;

- Fig. 19 shows a top view of some elements of the machine in Fig. 16; and

- Figs. 20A to 20D are side views of a compartment illustrating some depositing phases according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a device 1 for the conveying and depositing of banknotes which is associated with a compartment 2 (Fig. 3) of an automatic machine for dispensing banknotes. The device 1 comprises an electric motor 3, preferably with reduction gearing, which sets in rotation a lead-screw 4 along which moves the mobile element 5 having an internally-threaded through-hole into

which the lead-screw 4 is threaded. The mobile element 5 has two smooth-bore through-holes which receive two corresponding bars 6 parallel to but on opposite sides of the lead-screw 4, to guide the mobile element 5 in its movement between an upper, banknote-receiving position (Fig. 1 position) and a lower, banknote-depositing position.

Associated with the mobile element 5 are means 7 with the double function of supporting the banknotes in conveyance and releasing them onto the base of the compartment. The means 7 can be rotated on command by the electric motor 8, preferably with reduction gearing, turning a nut-screw coupled with a lead-screw 9. The actuating group rotating the means 7 is fitted to the mobile element 5 by means of a plate 49 and moves with the said element. As is shown in Fig. 1 and in more detail in Fig. 2, the lead-screw 9 is connected to a block 10 which has a projecting pin 11. The latter engages in a fork 12 in which there is a through-hole 13 into which the threaded shaft 15 is fitted e.g. by means of two lock-nuts 14, which is solid with the means 7 of support and release of the banknotes. In this way, movement imparted to the block 10 in the direction of the double arrow T causes rotation of the fork 12, and thus of the shaft 15 solid with the means 7 of support and release of the banknotes, in the

directions indicated by the double arrow R. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a compartment 2 of an automatic machine for the dispensing of banknotes according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The banknotes are inserted either singularly or in wads through the opening 16 and rest against the suitably inclined internal walls, supported by the means 7 of support and release when the latter are in their highest position.

The opening 16 may be cut directly in the upper wall 17 of the box-like body of the machine in the case where manual loading by an operator is expected. In this case, it is preferable to provide a closure system to prevent further insertion of banknotes when the means 7 of support and release are not in the banknote-receiving position. An example of such a closure system is disclosed below. Alternatively, in the case where an automatic loading device is provided (see, for example, PCT Application n° WO-94/14140) , the opening 16 can be considered as the whole area of the upper opening of the compartment and may be some distance from the upper wall 17 of the box-like body of the machine.

The means 7 of support and release move parallel to the inclined walls of the compartment 2. This is achieved by fitting the mounting rail 18 (Fig. 1) of the device 1 with

the same inclination as the walls of the compartment 2. On the base of the compartment 2 are one or more feeder rollers 19 which can be activated on command to transfer banknotes from inside the compartment 2 to a passage 50 which communicates with the delivery passage 21 which allows the banknotes to be drawn towards a dispenser outlet opening to the outside. Between the base of the compartment 2 and the passage 50 there is a mouth or nozzle 22 within which the leafing mechanisms (not shown) are located.

Figs. 4, 5 _/ and 6 show in detail the means 7 of support and release of the banknotes according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The means 7 of support and release comprise a first flat portion 20, which is substantially rectangular, and is attached to a pair of blocks 29, 39 by means of a plate 23 screwed to the said blocks. The fixture screws of the plate 23 are preferably welded, or fixed by other suitable means, to prevent undesirable loosening of the same in service. The block 29 is solid with the threaded shaft 15 which comprises at least one smooth non-threaded portion which is inserted into the mobile element 5 and can rotate with respect to the same element, while the block 39 comprises a pin 24 shorter than the shaft 15, which fits into an opening in a support bracket 25 (Fig. 1) integral with the

mobile element 5.

The means 7 also comprise a second flat portion 26, also substantially rectangular in form, located on the opposite side to portion 20. The second portion 26 is provided with rollers 27 which project with respect to the non- hinged side and are mounted to rotate freely. The rollers 27, preferably made from a plastic material, promote the sliding forward of the banknotes so as to facilitate the release operation from the beginning of the descent of the means 7 of support towards the base of the compartment 2. The means 7 preferably comprise an intermediate flat portion 28, also substantially rectangular in form, which is hinged along its longer sides to the first portion 20 and the second portion 26.

The portions 20, 26 and 28 are made from a light, strong material, e.g. sheet metal, and are hinged together by folding back tabs 30 over the hinge pins 31 (Fig. 6) , so as to allow relative rotation of one portion with respect to another. The rollers 27 are fitted in the same way i.e. by folding back tabs 32 on the portion 26 over the respective pivots 33.

Alternatively, as described below with reference to another embodiment of the invention, the portions 20, 26 and 28 are made from a light-alloy and the holes for the pins 31 and pivots 33 for the rollers 27 are obtained by

micro-drilling.

Portions 26 and 28 have two external winglets 34 and 35 respectively, which restrict rotation of each portion with respect to the adjacent portion to one direction only (Fig. 6) starting from the position of the portions being in alignment (Fig. 5) .

The means 7 further comprise a pair of rollers 36 which are mounted on a support block 37 fixed by screws to portion 26 of the means 7. In this case also it is preferable that the fixture screws of the support block 37 are welded,- or fixed by other suitable means, to prevent undesirable loosening of the same in service. The rollers 36 project below the means 7 and rotate freely to co¬ operate in correspondence with the feeder rollers 19 located on the base of the compartment 2.

A further roller 38, or any other suitable means, projects laterally from the portion 26 to activate a limit-switch 40 (Fig. 1) solid with the mobile element 5. Figs. 7A-7F show in sequence the phases of depositing a wad of banknotes in a compartment 2. It is presumed that an operator has deposited the banknotes, either manually through the opening 16 or by putting them in the appropriate seat of an automatic loading device, onto the means 7 in a previous phase. At this point the operator initiates a control system enabling the depositing of the

banknotes which happens automatically according to a procedure pre-established by the control system itself. Fig. 7A shows the wad supported on the means 7 during the descent of the said means towards the base of the compartment. Near the base of the compartment (Fig. 7B) , the rollers 36 engage the feeder rollers 19, the means 7 continue downward until the portion 26 rotates slightly (Fig. 7C) to activate the limit-switch device by means of the roller 38 which interrupts the supply to the motor 3 and thus stops the downward movement of the mean-s 7. At this point-, the motor 8 is switched on and begins to rotate the portion 20 about the axis of shaft 15 (Fig. 7D) , whereupon the portions of the means 7 are withdrawn delicately from under the wad while at the same time exerting a small back-pressure to help the lowest banknote towards the mouth or nozzle 22 which contains the leafing device (not shown) .

Once the rotation of portion 20 has ended, motor 3 is activated with opposite polarity and the means 7 commence the ascent towards the wad-rec-jiving position (figs 7E and 7F) , while the remaining articulated portions 28 and 26 rotate with respect to the adjacent portion, all the time maintaining a slight pressure on the rear of the wad. Once the banknote-receiving position has been reached, the motor 8 is activated with opposite polarity to once again

return the portions 20, 26 and 28 to their banknote- receiving alignment, in which position they await the depositing of another wad.

The means 7 of support and release can be advantageously used as an auxiliary in delivering the banknotes, e.g. when there is a delivery fault due mainly to folded banknotes. In such case the feeder rollers 19 are not able to get a grip on the banknote at the bottom of the pile because there is not sufficient pressure (or none at all) to flatten it and allow it to be gripped.

The means 7- of support and release can be advantageously used to supply the pressure necessary to allow the banknote to be gripped. In cases, where a fault in delivery has been verified, the system can preprogram the lowering of the means 7 and the closure of the opening 16, until the top of the pile is reached but without the rotation of the portion 20 around the axis of shaft 15. In other words, the means 7 are used with the portions 20, 26 and 28 in the flat aligned position, which is essentially parallel to the base. Thus, a uniform pressure can be maintained on the banknotes underneath the means 7 until such time as all the banknotes in the compartment have been dispensed, or until another deposit of banknotes is requested. Fig. 8 shows the separate portions of the means 107 of

support and release according to another embodiment of the invention. The means 107 of support and release comprise a first flat portion 120, which is substantially rectangular, and is attached at one of its end to a small plate 139 by means of screws 239, whilst the other end of the portion 120 is attached to a block 129 by means of screws (not shown) screwed in the holes 229. In this case also, the fixture screws are preferably fixed by any suitable means to prevent undesirable loosening of the same in service.

The block 129 is provided with a through-hole 160 in which a shaft 115 projecting from the mobile element 105 (Fig. 10) is inserted and clamped by means of screws (not shown) tightened into the holes 260.

The means 107 also comprise a second flat portion 126, located on the opposite side to the portion 120, and an intermediate flat portion 128, both substantially rectangular shaped. The second portion 126 comprises two recesses 226 to avoid interference with the feeder rollers 19 during the first release of banknotes when the compartment is empty. In this embodiment, the portions 120, 126 and 128 are formed by plates made from a light, strong material, such as light-alloy or plastic material, and are hinged together at their ends by means of screws. The plates forming the portions 120, 126 and 128 are

preferably subjected to a surface treatment, e.g. a sand¬ blasting process, and thus covered with a material, such as TEFLON (registered trademark) having a reduced coefficient of friction and a reduced transfer of electrostatic charge in order to promote the sliding movement of the lower banknotes of a wad supported onto the means 107.

As also shown in Fig. 12, small free-wheeling rollers 270 are partially projecting from the upper surface of the portions 120 and 128, as well as from the lower surface of the portion- 126. The rollers 270 projecting from the upper surface of the means of support and release 107 promote the sliding forward of the banknotes so as to facilitate the release operation of the banknotes, whilst the rollers 270 projecting from the lower surface of the means of support and release 107 allow the withdrawal of the same without causing undesired back-folding of the banknotes already present, or any damage to the base of the compartment.

Circles A and B in Fig. 12 put in evidence that portions 120, 126 and 128 are hinged together in such a manner that the rotation of each portion with respect to the adjacent portion is restricted to one direction only starting from the aligned position of the portions. Fig. 13 shows another feature of the means 107 according

to the present invention. In order to return the portions 120, 126, 128 in a substantially aligned position, a first helical spring 171 is inserted at one end on a pin screwed into the first portion 120 whilst, at the other end, the first helical spring 171 is inserted into a second helical spring 172 having a diameter slightly larger than that of the first helical spring 171. The other end of the second helical spring 172 is fixed by a screw to the second portion 126. Stress of flexure is distributed over both springs 171 and 172, thus ensuring a good reliability during the operation without interfere with the banknotes supported onto the means 107.

Fig. 9 shows the mobile retaining members 207, 307 which co-operate with the means of support and release 107 to retain a wad or a banknote when the means 107 are placed in correspondence of the upper banknote-receiving position.

In particular, as also shown in Fig. 15, the first retaining member 207 is provided with a substantially rectangular bottom portion 208 and a substantially rectangular side portion 209 perpendicular to each other along respective ones of their longer sides. The retaining member 207 comprises two small projecting pins, i.e. pin 211 to be inserted in a respective through- hole 161 of the plate 139 (Fig. 8) , and pin 210 to be

inserted in the through-hole 160 (opposite to the shaft 115) , both with small clearance to allow the free-rotation of the retaining member 207 with respect to the means 107 about a common axis of rotation.

Small winglets 212 are projecting from the retaining member 207 to avoid that any banknote could fall down through the space between the first retaining member 207 and the means 107 of support and release. Recesses 122 are provided into the portion 120 in correspondence of the winglets 212 in order to allow the rotation of the first retaining member 207 with respect to the means 107 of support and release,

A second retaining member 307, also having a substantially rectangular shape, is hinged to the first retaining member 207 by means of a pin 327 which, in assembled condition, is integral with the second retaining member 307. The pin 327 has a crank-shaped end 328 sliding over a surface of an inclined plane block 116 (Figs. 10, 11) mounted on the mobile element 105. This allows to drive the rotation of the second retaining member 307 from the position shown in Fig. 15 (e.g. reached by gravity upon rotation of the means of support and release 107 during the depositing phases as explained below with reference to Figs. 20A-20D) to the position shown in Fig. 11 when the means of support and release 107 and the retaining members 207, 307 are

moved towards the upper banknote-receiving position (see Fig. 20A) . Alternatively, or in addition, resilient means can also be provided to rotate, or promote the rotation of, the second retaining member 307.

The retaining members 207, 307 are made from a light, strong material, e.g. sheet metal, and are hinged together by folding back tabs 200 and 300 over the hinge pin 327. As stated above, the hinge pin 327 is further fixed, e.g. by welding, to the second retaining member 307. Figs. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of the actuating group rotating the means 107 of support and release. In these Figures, the plate 149, the mobile element 105 and the lead-screw 104 have respectively the same functions of the plate 49, the mobile element 5 and the lead-screw 4 shown in Fig. 1, i.e. the actuating group is fitted to the mobile element 105 by means of a plate 149 and moves with the said element upon the rotation of the lead-screw 104. The actuating group comprises an electric motor 108 coupled with the shaft 115 by means of a reduction gear mechanism to rotate on command the means 107. According to an advantageous feature of the invention, a gear 111 of the reduction gear mechanism is only partially toothed along its circumference (see also Fig. 14) in order to provide a further and more reliable control of the rotation of the means 107. In other words, if a sensor

fails to detect one of the ending positions during the rotation of the means 107, the latter are stopped in any case by the absence of teeth along a preset range of the circumference of the gear 111.

Indeed, one or more sensors (not shown), e.g. one or more switches, are placed onto the plate 149 to detect one or more positions of the means 107 during their movement. Preferably, one or more micro-switches are placed onto the plate 149 and driven by means of cams (not shown) coupled with the gear mechanism. Alternatively or in addition, at least a magnetic switch can be used to detect the position of the means 107 and a permanent magnet (not shown) can be inserted at one end of the means 107.

A guide bar 190, and two guide bars 192 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 10) are provided to guide the mobile element 105 and the plate 149 between the upper banknote- receiving position and the lower banknotes-depositing position. In particular, guide bar 190 is inserted in a smooth through-hole of the mobile element 105 and the plate 149. Roller bearings 193, integral with the plate 149, are preferably provided in sliding contact relationship with the guide bars 192 in order to obtain a more balanced control of the movement along the guides. Whilst the guide bar 190 is preferably made with a bar having a circular cross-section, the two guide bars 192

can be made indifferently with bars having both circular or square cross-section.

A further bar 191 shown in Fig. 10 allows to strengthen the frame of the device as a whole.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of the means of support and release 107 and the retaining members 207 and 307 mounted on the mobile element 105.. Integral to the latter, it is provided a pin 110 which is brought in contact with a projecting edge 213 (Fig. 15) of the retaining member 207 to stop the same after a preset rotation with respect to the means 107 of support and release during the rotation of the latter.

Helical springs 180 and 181 are provided to return the first retaining member 207 towards the means 107 of support and release. In particular, the helical spring 180 is fixed at one of its end in correspondence of the hole 280 (see Fig. 9) of the retaining member 207 whilst, at the other end, the helical spring 180 is fixed to a headed pin 182 slidably movable in a through-hole of a bracket

183 which is fixed to the mobile element 105. The helical spring 181 is mounted between the bracket 183 and the head

184 of the pin. In the position shown in Fig. 11, the springs 180 and 181 are both loaded but in different manner, i.e. the spring 180 is subjected to a traction load whilst the spring 181 is subjected to a compression

load. Upon the rotation (in clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 11) of the means of support and release 107 and the retaining member 207, both the springs 180 and 181 become unloaded.

Fig. 16 shows schematically an automatic machine 500 for the depositing and dispensing of banknotes according to the invention. The machine comprises a box-like body 501 housing a plurality of compartments 502, a plurality of openings 503 for the introduction of banknotes or wads and a dispenser outlet 504 which serves for the dispensing of the banknotes from the machine 500. In association with each of the compartments 502 is provided a device for the conveying and depositing of the banknotes as described above. Each compartment 502 comprises at least a separating wall 505 (see Fig. 17) which is provided with two or more leaf-springs 506 made from spring steel and placed in the inner side of the compartment 502. According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the machine 500 comprises a shutter 507 movable on command between a position in which the openings 503 are open and a position in which the same are closed. The shutter 507 allow to obtain a high degree of security because it prevents any unauthorized access inside of the compartments. Furthermore, the shutter 507 prevents the accidental fall inside the compartments of anything which

could cause damages or malfunctions of the machine 500. As also shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the shutter 507 is slidably movable between an upper plate 508 and a lower plate 509 which are mounted over the upper side of the box-like body 501. An electric motor 510 sets in rotation a gear 511 engaged with a rack 512 which is fixed to a spacer 514 and to the shutter plate 507 by means of a screw. Each of the upper plate 508 and lower plate 509 comprises respectively a number of openings 508* and 509' equal to the number of the openings 503 in the box-like body 501, whilst the shutter plate 507 comprises the same number of openings 507' minus one because, to avail the access to the compartments 502 through the openings 503, 508' and 509', the shutter plate 507 is moved forward up to the position in which the rear edge of the shutter plate 507 crosses the front edge of the last opening 503 and the front edge of the respective openings in the plates 508 and 509.

In particular, the upper plate 508 also comprises a downwardly projecting rim 520 for guiding the shutter plate 507 in its translation movement. Downwardly projecting bolt are fixed by welding between the plate 508 and the rim 520 in order to mount the shutter assembly onto the box-like body 501 by means of screw-nuts (not shown) tightened from the inner thereof. The shutter plate

507 has a through-hole 513 for screwing the small spacing block 514 between the plate 507 and the rack 512. On the other hand, the lower plate 509 comprises a slot 515 (also provided in the box-like body) to permit the sliding movements of the block 514 therein.

A cover plate (not shown) can also be provided over the upper plate 508 to improve the outward appearance of the machine 500 as a whole. It should be noted that, if so requested, the shutter assembly can also be mounted into the inner space of the box-like body without substantial alterations- of the embodiment shown.

Figs. 20A to 20D show in sequence some phases of depositing a wad (not shown) in a compartment 502. When a wad is to be deposited in the compartment 502, the shutter plate 507 is moved horizontally up to the open position shown in Fig. 20A. Means of support an release 107, as well as the retaining members 207, 307 are thus moved from a waiting position inside the compartment up to the position shown in Fig. 20A, i.e. with the respective ends of the portion 126 and the retaining member 307 slightly projecting from the opening 508' of the upper plate 508 in order to form receiving means having two side walls substantially aligned with the inserting direction of the wad through the opening 508' . A lining (not shown) made from resilient material is preferably fixed to the

peripheral edge of the opening 508' in order to make easier the passage of the portion 126 and the retaining member 307 through the opening 508', as well as to avoid the insertion of some banknotes in the clearance between the receiving means and the opening edge.

When a wad is inserted, the operator initiates a control system enabling the depositing of the banknotes which happens automatically according to a procedure pre- established by the control system itself, as disclosed above with reference to Figs. 7A-7F. This implies that the means supporting and retaining the wad move for a small preset distance along a direction parallel to the compartment walls 505 up the position shown in Fig. 20B. In this position, the wad has crossed over the upper wall of the box-like body 501 and it is completely entered into the inner of the compartment 502. Furthermore, the retaining means 207 and 307 thrust slightly the leaf- springs 506' of the adjacent compartment in the forward direction. At this point, the shutter plate 507 is moved backward in order to close the access to the compartment 502 and avoid the further insertion of banknotes, whilst the means of support 107, along with the retaining members 207 and 307, start the rotation to bring the means of support and release 107 in a position parallel to the bottom of the compartment.

As shown in Fig. 20C, during the rotation of the means of support and release 107, the first retaining member 207 and the means 107 rotate together, whilst the second retaining member 307 rotates upon gravity to become in contact with the wad and act a light pressure upon the upper banknote of the wad. During the last phase of the rotation, i.e. before stopping the rotation of the means of support and release 107, the rotation of the first retaining member 207 is stopped by the pin 110 (see Figs. 10 and 11) and, consequently, also the rotation of the second retaining member 307 is stopped. Thus, the edges of the banknotes are free to come in contact with the leaf- springs 506 associated to the wall 505 (Fig. 20D) . At this point, the rotation of the means 107 is stopped and the wad is moved up to the lower banknote-depositing position as already disclosed with reference to Figs. 7A to 7F. When the deposition has been completed, the means of support an release 107, as well as the retaining members 207, 307 are moved again to reach their waiting position. Preferably, in the waiting position, the means of support and release are aligned to form a plane parallel to the base of the compartment and exert a light pressure onto the pile of banknotes already present into the compartment.