BANKNOTE PROCESSING
Banknote processing equipment is disclosed, which comprises a chamber having an open end for insertion of a bag into the chamber and an extractor adapted to establish a lower ambient pressure between the chamber and the hag to that within the bag to cause the bag to expand into an open configuration during a banknote filling operation, whereby the banknote processing equipment can deposit banknotes in the bag.
1 . A method for depositing one or more banknotes into a bag, the method comprising:
clamping a free end of the bag positioned in a chamber;
expanding the bag to an open configuration;
receiving the one or more banknotes into the bag;
sealing the bag using a sealing operation; and
releasing the free end of the bag.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein clamping the free end of the bag includes positioning the bag between a clamping arrangement and the chamber.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein releasing the free end of the bag includes moving one or more flaps of a clamping arrangement.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing operation is performed using a sealing mechanism.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the sealing mechanism includes a pair of sealing arms mounted to the chamber.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the sealing mechanism further includes one or more sealing elements disposed on the pair of sealing arms to provide heat as part of the sealing operation.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein expanding the bag includes expanding the bag into an open configuration during a filling operation.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing operation includes closing the free end of the bag using heat.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the chamber forms part of at least one of a deposit safe, a cash dispenser, a note sorter, or a note counter.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
supporting the bag using one or more rods disposed in the chamber.
11 . A system for depositing one or more banknotes, the system including:
a chamber including an open end configured to receive a bag;
a clamping arrangement coupled to the chamber and configured to clamp a free end of the bag, the bag configured to be expanded to allow one or more banknotes to be received into the bag through the free end of the bag; and
a sealing mechanism coupled to the chamber and configured to seal the bag during a sealing operation.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the clamping arrangement includes one or more flaps, the bag configured to be disposed between the one or more flaps and the chamber.
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the sealing mechanism includes one or more sealing arms configured to apply heat to the bag to seal the bag.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the sealing mechanism further includes:
a pair of sealing arms coupled to the chamber; and
one or more sealing elements disposed on the pair of sealing arms to provide heat as part of the sealing operation.
15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the chamber includes one or more rods configured to support the bag.
16 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a motor configured to move the sealing mechanism.
17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the free end of the bag is released by moving one or more flaps of the clamping arrangement from a first position into a second position.
18 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the bag is expanded into an open configuration during a filling operation.
19 . The system of claim 11 , the sealing operation includes closing the free end of the bag using heat.
20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the chamber forms part of at least one of a deposit safe, a cash dispenser, a note sorter, or a note counter.