An apparatus and method are disclosed for temporarily storing at least one item of media. The apparatus includes a rotatable item support member arranged to rotate about a support member axis of rotation and comprising an outer support surface. The apparatus also includes a pair of drive tape members, each arranged along a respective tape pathway, each tape pathway comprising a pathway portion in which the tape members extend in a co-operating relationship supported by said outer support surface. The outer support surface includes at least one support region that supports the tape members and an item located therebetween in a flat orientation.
1. Apparatus for temporarily storing at least one item of media, comprising:
a rotatable item support member having a substantially rounded rectangular cross-section with straight sides and rounded ends and arranged to rotate about a support member axis of rotation and comprising an outer support surface; and
a pair of drive tape members each arranged along a respective tape pathway, each tape pathway comprising a pathway portion in which the tape members extend in a co-operating relationship supported by said outer support surface and the rounded ends of the item support member;
wherein the outer support surface comprises at least one support region that supports the tape members and an item located therebetween in a flat orientation.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
said at least one support region comprises a plurality of planar support regions arranged circumferentially around the outer support surface.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
each support region comprises a smooth planar area at least large enough to support an entire item of media.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein each support region has a planar area of about around 105 cm 2 or about around 135 cm 2 .
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
the pair of drive tape members comprises only one tape element secured at a central region thereof to the item support member, each belt member comprising a respective portion of the tape element extending away from the central region, or the pair of drive tape members comprises two tape elements each secured at a respective first end region to the item support member.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
at least one driven reel element at a second end of each tape member.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:
in a deposit mode of operation, each reel element is driven at a reel speed slower than a support speed at which the support member is driven and in a dispense mode of operation each reel element is driven at a reel speed faster than a support speed at which the support member is driven.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one tape member comprises an indicator element that identifies a pre-determined position on the respective tape member.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of guide pulleys that locate each tape pathway.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
the item support member and the tape members are selectively driven simultaneously and synchronously.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a drive motor; and
at least one clutch element; wherein
the drive motor and clutch element drive the support member and the tape members in a dispense mode of operation or a deposit mode of operation.
12. A self-service terminal comprising the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each item of media comprises a currency note.
13. A teller assist unit comprising the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each item of media comprises a currency note.
14. A cash recycler unit comprising the apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each item of media comprises a currency note.
15. A method for temporarily storing at least one item of media, comprising:
rotating an item support member having a substantially rounded rectangular cross-section with straight sides and rounded ends and comprising an outer support surface about an item support axis of rotation;
driving tape members along respective tape pathways each comprising a respective pathway portion in which the tape members extend in a co-operating relationship supported on said outer support surface and the rounded ends of the item support member; and
supporting the tape members and at least one item of media located therebetween in a flat orientation on at least one support region of the outer support surface.