GB2134493A

GB2134493A - Currency note storing and despensing system

Info

Publication number: GB2134493A
Application number: GB08328895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Milton Mclean
Original assignee: Docutel Corp
Current assignee: Docutel Corp
Priority date: 1980-02-22
Filing date: 1983-10-28
Publication date: 1984-08-15
Also published as: GB2134493B; GB8328895D0

Description

SPECIFICATION Currency note dispensing system TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a system for dispens ing currency notes, and more particularly to a system for dispensing currency notes compris ing a dispenser and a cartridge for storing currency notes and which may further comprise a loader.

BACKGROUND ART The use of automated teller machines (ATM) has become prevalent in the last several years. A customer using an ATM will typically have a card or token with an identifying numerical sequence thereon that is inserted into the ATM, permitting the customer to deposit or withdraw funds from a bank account without interacting with a human teller. One substantial advantage of the ATM is the capability to transact bank business outside normal banking hours. A typical ATM will include a mechanism to dispense currency notes stored within the ATM in response to a customer's request. In order to maintain an accurate record of the customer 5 account, the ATM is also provided with a mechanism to detect and count currency notes dispensed.

In the past, currency notes, or other articles to be distributed individually have been stored on reels or spools between wrappings of a belt or tape in a cartridge. Typical cartridges are described and claimed in United States Patents Nos. 2,687,135 issued to Heim on August 24, 1 954 and entitled "Storage Device" and 2,981,492 issued to Simjian on April 25, 1961 and entitled "Receptacle for Depository Apparatus".

It is known to employ self contained cartridges similar to those described above in a dispenser having a mechanism to detect and count the currency notes dispensed. Typical dispensing devices of this type are described and claimed in United States Patents Nos.

3,038,157 issued to Simjian on June 5, 1 962 and entitled "Deposit Exchange Machine Including Image Recording Means", 3,039,582 issued to Simjian on June 19, 1 962 and entitled "Subscriber Controlled Apparatus and 3,072,237 issued to Simjian on January 8, 1963 and entitled "Currency Exchange Apparatus".

Such prior art cartridges must be loaded with a quantity of single currency notes. Each note is stored at a discrete location on the reel or spool so that they may be dispensed individually. A dispenser must then withdraw individual currency notes from the cartridge to dispense the currency notes as desired. The dispenser must further detect and count the currency notes being dispensed. A need exists for a system employing a cartridge for storing currency notes and a dispenser for dispensing the currency notes therefrom at a reasonable cost and with high reliability.

Since currency notes are typically packaged in a bundle or stack, some method must be employed to separate the stack into individual notes at a reasonable cost. Devices are known which may separate individual currency notes from a stack. However, these devices are too complex and expensive to be provided at each dispenser. A need has thus arisen for a system further employing a device to separate a stack into individual currency notes for storage within a cartridge until dispensed individually by a dispenser at a reasonable cost and with high reliability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a system for dispensing currency notes is provided.

The system includes a cartridge for receiving a predetermined number of individual currency notes comprising a supply spool mounted for rotation therein, at least one takeup spool mounted for rotation therein and at least one film secured at opposite ends to the supply spool and the takeup spool and wound about the spools. The individual currency notes are received in the cartridge, placed on the film and wound about the supply spool for storage. The system further includes a dispenser for dispensing currency notes individually from the cartridge and comprising means for rotating the takeup spool to unwind the film from the supply spool and present a currency note stored within the cartridge to the dispenser, means resisting the rotation of the supply spool to maintain a preselected tension on the film, a transport mechanism for transporting the currency note through the dispenser to a customer receiving area, means sensing the presence of a currency note within the dispenser and verifying passage of the currency note through the dispenser and means controlling the rotating means, the resisting means and the transport mechanism to dispense a preselected number of currency notes to the customer receiving area.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a cartridge for receiving a predetermined number of currency notes. The system further includes a loader for accepting a quantity of currency notes to be dispensed and loading the predetermined number of currency notes into the cartridge. At least one dispenser is provided for dispensing currency notes individually from the cartridge. The cartridge is adapted for use in both the loader and dispenser.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for dispensing currency notes is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a cartridge for receiving a predetermined number of currency notes and loading the cartridge with the predetermined number of currency notes with a loader having a quantity of currency notes.

The method further includes the steps of dispensing the currency notes individually from the cartridge in a dispenser and adapting the cartridge for use in both the loader and dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the two embodiments of the currency note dispensing system forming the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the cartridge employed in the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a first modification of the cartridge employed in the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a second modification of the cartridge employed in the present invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view of a loader and cartridge employed in the present invention; and Figure 6 is a sectional view of a dispenser and cartridge employed in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 illustrates the two embodiments of the currency note dispensing system of the present invention. The first embodiment of the system includes a number of interchangeable cartridges 10 for storing currency notes within and a number of dispensers 14 at desired locations for dispensing currency notes individually from a cartridge 10. The second embodiment of the system further includes a loader 1 2 for loading currency notes into cartridges 10. A stack of currency notes 1 6 is placed within loader 1 2. Loader 1 2 separates and verifies individual currency notes for loading into cartridge 10.

In the system including cartridge 10 and dispenser 14, the dispensing of individual currency notes is performed at low cost and with high reliability. In the system including cartridge 10, dispenser 14 and loader 12, the task of separating and verifying individual currency notes 1 8 from a stack 1 6 is a difficult task. The currency notes 1 8 may vary greatly in quality, resulting from the various degrees of wear and tear found in circulating currency notes. The loader 1 2 is therefore a complex and expensive mechanism. The dispenser 14, on the other hand, performs a relatively simple function of counting and dispensing individual currency notes. By providing a cartridge 10 which is adapted for use with both loader 1 2 and a dispenser 14, one loader 1 2 may be used to provide a large number of dispensers 14 with individually stored currency notes. By designing the cartridge 10 to be a closed unit, the cartridge forms a secure and convenient means for transporting currency notes from the loader 1 2 to a dispenser 14. By controlling the number of currency notes loaded into a cartridge 10, the cartridge may also form a method of accounting for currency notes.

Both embodiments of the system therefore result in a high reliability and low cost technique for dispensing currency notes.

Fig. 2 illustrates the cartridge 10 in greater detail. A generally continuous housing 28 defines the outer surface of cartridge 1 0.

Although housing 28 may comprise two half portions secured together so that members described hereinafter may be placed within housing 28, it will be understood that in normal use housing 28 will be an integral structure that will resist any reasonable attempt to obtain the currency notes therein in a manner other than provided by the present invention. This integral structure may be formed by locking the various portions of the cartridge together.

A supply spool 30, inner film takeup spool 32 and outer film takeup spool 34 are rotatably mounted within housing 28. An outer film 36 and an inner film 38 are both secured at one end to supply spool 30 and at the opposite end to outer film takeup spool 34 and inner film takeup spool 32, respectively, and wound about the spools. Films 36 and 38 may be formed of a flexible plastic, for example that marketed under the trademark Mylar.

Outer film 36 is threaded past roller 40, about outer film feed roller 42 and by idler roller 44 between supply spool 30 and outer film takeup spool 34. Inner film 38 is threaded by roller 40, inner film feed roller 46, idler roller 48 and idler roller 50 between supply spool 30 and inner film takeup spool 32. Feed rollers 42 and 46 may be synchronized for common counter-rotation if desired.

A supply spool interface roller 52 is rotatably mounted within housing 28 adjacent one side of the cartridge 10 as shown. Supply spool interface roller 52 is mechanically linked to supply spool 30 so that rotation of one member will induce a similarly directed rotation in the other. The mechanical link may take the form of a belt interconnecting pulleys mounted on interface roller 52 and supply spool 30, although any other suitable mechanism providing common rotation would be sufficient. An outer film takeup spool interface roller 54 is similarly mounted for rotation within housing 28 and is mechanically linked to outer film takeup spool 34 for common rotation. An inner film takeup spool interface roller 56 is similarly rotatably mounted within housing 28 and mechanically linked to inner film takeup spool 32. Spool interface apertures 58, 60 and 62 are formed in housing 28 adjacent interface rollers 52, 54 and 56, respectively.

A predetermined tension may be induced in outer film 36 and inner film 38 by controlling the rotation of the interface rollers 52, 54 and 56 in the manner described hereinafter. An individual currency note 1 8 may be passed through currency slot 64 in the cartridge 10 so that it contacts the outer and inner films 36 and 38 adjacent feed rollers 42 and 46.

By rotating a supply spool 30 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2, the currency note will be sandwiched between outer and inner films 36 and 38 and wound upon the supply spool 30. As shown in Fig.

2, a large number of currency notes may be stored in this manner, each being individually sandwiched between segments of the outer and inner films 36 and 38. A supply spool 30 having a diameter of approximately twelve inches may hold up to 2,000 United States currency notes.

By rotating spool interface rollers 54 and 56 so that inner film takeup spool 32 and outer film takeup spool 34 are rotated in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively as shown in Fig. 2, outer and inner films 36 and 38 will be unrolled from supply spool 30 and onto the respective takeup spools 32 and 34. A currency note 1 8 sandwiched between the outer and inner films 36 and 38 will be urged toward currency slot 64.

The currency note may be transported through the currency slot 64 by the action of films 36 and 38 to a mechanism described hereinafter.

The cartridge 10 forms a self contained unit for transporting currency notes stored within from one location to another in relative safety.

During normal operation, the cartridge 10 need never be opened or unlocked so that the currency notes stored within could be removed by unauthorized personnel. The supply spool 30 could also be interlocked to prevent rotation of the spool in an unauthorized manner. In addition, cartridge 10 may be equipped with a mechanism which registers an attempt to open the cartridge or unroll currency notes therefrom in an unauthorized manner. A mechanical or electrical code key may be provided on cartridge 10 to indicate the denomination of the currency notes stored therein.

Fig. 3 illustrates a first modification of the currency note cartridge indicated as cartridge 70. The cartridge 70 has a supply spool 72 and a takeup spool 74 rotatably mounted therein. An outer film 76 and inner film 78 are connected to and wrapped about the spools 72 and 74. Outer film 76 is threaded about a feed roller 80 between spools 72 and 74. Inner film 78 is threaded about a feed roller 82, idler roller 84, idler roller 86 and idler roller 88 between spools 72 and 74.

A supply spool interface roller 90 is mounted for rotation adjacent one side of cartridge 70 as shown. Interface roller 90 is mechanically linked for rotation with supply spool 72. A takeup spool interface roller 92 is similarly rotatably mounted adjacent the side of cartridge 70 and is mechanically linked for rotation with takeup spool 74. Spool interface apertures 94 and 96 are provided in cartridge 70 adjacent interface rollers 90 and 92 respectively.

Cartridge 70 differs from the cartridge 10 shown in Fig. 2 in that it requires only one takeup spool to store the outer and inner film 76 and 78. Cartridge 70 therefore requires only two interface rollers 90 and 92. In addition, by interfacing the supply spool 72 and takeup spool 74, as by offsetting the rims, a larger diameter supply spool 72 may be used. In all other respects, the cartridge 70 is similar to cartridge 1 0.

Fig. 4 illustrates a second modification of the currency note cartridge indicated as cartridge 100. Cartridge 100 has a supply spool 102 and a takeup spool 104 rotatably mounted therein. A single film 106 is wrapped around and secured to spools 102 and 104 as shown. Film 106 passes feed roller 108 and is threaded about feed roller 110 and by idler roller 11 2 between spools 102 and 1 04. A supply spool interface roller 114 is rotatably mounted adjacent one side of cartridge 100 and mechanically linked for rotation with supply spool 1 02. A takeup spool interface roller 11 6 is rotatably mounted adjacent the side of cartridge 100 and mechanically linked for rotation with takeup spool 104. Spool interface apertures 11 8 and 1 20 are provided in cartridge 100 adjacent interface rollers 114 and 116, respectively.

Cartridge 100 differs from cartridge 70 as shown in Fig. 3 only in the respect of employing a single film 106. The use of a single film eliminates the need to maintain equal tension on two films as required in the cartridges 10 and 70. However, the use of two films help control the currency notes, particularly when the supply spool is nearly empty.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cartridge 10 interconnected to a loader 1 2 for loading a predetermined number of currency notes into the cartridge. A stack of currency notes is placed within supply area 1 30 within loader 1 2. An internal mechanism keeps the stack of notes in contact with a picking mechanism 1 32.

Individual currency notes are taken from the top of the stack by picking mechanism 1 32 and transported through a verification mechanism 1 34. The verification mechanism 1 34 is driven by a loader transport drive 1 36. Within verification mechanism 1 32 are a double detect separation station 1 38 and a diverter mechanism 140. The verification mechanism 1 34 acts to verify that each object transported through mechanism 1 34 is in fact an individual currency note. Mechanism 1 34 also acts to divert damaged or double currency notes into a storage bin 142. Individual undamaged currency notes are transported to transport 143.

Transport 143 includes a transport mechanism 144 which may be formed by belts traveling about rotatably mounted rollers. Optical sensors 145 in the transport mechanism 144 are activated by the presence of a currency note within mechanism 144 which prevents light from light sources 147 from entering the sensors 145. The sensors 145 relay this information to a controller 146. Controller 146 in turn activates variable speed motor 148 and further activates drive mechanisms 149 and 151. Motor 148 and drive mechanism 1 51 cooperate to drive transport mechanism 144 so that the currency note 1 8 is moved toward cartridge 10 as shown in Fig.

5. Motor 148 and drive mechanism 149 cooperate to drive supply interface drive roller 1 50 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig.

5. Drive roller 1 50 extends to housing 28 at spool interface aperture 58 and is frictionally or otherwise coupled to interface roller 52.

Drive roller 1 50 thereby causes supply spool 30 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 5. Motor 148 and drive mechanism 149 also cooperate to supply a friction force acting against inner film interface drive roller 1 52 and outer film interface drive roller 1 54 extending to housing 28 at spool interface apertures 62 and 60 to resist rotation of rollers 1 52 and 1 54. Rollers 1 52 and 1 54 are frictionally or otherwise coupled to spool interface rollers 56 and 54, respectively. Drive rollers 1 52 and 1 54 thereby resist rotation of inner and outer film spools 32 and 34 within cartridge 10 to maintain tension on the outer and inner films 36 and 38. The individual currency note 18 is transported through the transport mechanism 144 and is driven between feed rollers 42 and 46.

This action allows the outer and inner films 36 and 38 to sandwich the currency note therebetween as the films and currency note are rolled onto supply spool 30. The trailing edge of the currency note 18 passing through transport mechanism 144 acts as a signal to controller 146 which may be used to count the number of currency notes loading into cartridge 10 and initiate another cycle of picking, verifying, transporting and rolling up a currency note in the supply spool.

The loader 1 2 may be located in a bank vault or in a secure back room of a bank or other financial office so that the operation of loading currency notes within a cartridge 10 is done in a secure location. The second embodiment of the system contemplates the use of a number of remote dispensers 14 supplied with loaded cartridges 10 that are loaded by a single loader 1 2. The complexity of loader 1 2 causes the loader to be quite expensive. In this system, the cost of the loader may be distributed across a number of the relatively cheaper dispensers 14 and thereby reduce the total cost for each working dispenser in the system. Any denomination of currency notes may be loaded into a cartridge 10 by loader 12. The loader 1 2 may also set the code key on cartridge 10 to indicate the denomination loaded therein.

Fig. 6 illustrates the first embodiment of the dispensing system which includes a cartridge 10 interconnected with a dispenser 14. It is also clear Fig. 6 illustrates a portion of the second embodiment of the dispensing system.

In this second embodiment, the dispenser 14 may be located at a substantial distance from loader 1 2. A cartridge 10 loaded with currency notes may be transported from loader 1 2 to the dispenser 1 4. The structure of cartridge 10 as described hereinabove insures the security of the currency notes therein during transport.

It can be readily seen that dispenser 14 has a substantial similarity in structure and function to transport 143 shown in Fig. 5. Bn fact, the same unit may be employed in both respects with only minor modifications in the transport mechanism to accommodate transport of currency notes in opposite directions, thereby reducing the total cost of the system by standardizing the components. Cartridge 10 is adapted to be used with both loader 1 2 and any dispenser 14, thereby also acting to standardize the components within both embodiments of the system.

Dispenser 1 4 is provided with a housing 1 60. Housing 160, or an additional facing plate not shown, may form the exposed structure of an ATM which is located at a convenient location for the use of customers. The individual customer may enter a coded token or personal identification number into the ATM which activates the controller 1 62.

When the cartridge 10 is mechanically mated with dispenser 14, the interface rollers 52, 54 and 56 are frictionally or otherwise coupled to supply interface drive roller 164, outer film interface drive roller 1 68 and inner film interface drive roller 166, respectively. The controller 1 62 activates a variable speed motor 1 70 and drive mechanism 1 71 to rotate spool interface rollers 54 and 56 in the counterclockwise and clockwise directions, respectively as noted in Fig. 6. This rotation induces similar rotation in inner and outer film takeup spools 32 and 34 which causes outer and inner films 36 and 38 to be unwrapped from supply spool 30 to present a currency note 1 8 past position A as shown in Fig. 6 through currency slot 64 and into transport mechanism 1 72 at position B. Motor 1 70 and drive mechanism 1 71 further interact to apply a braking force to resist rotation of supply interface drive roller 164, thereby resisting rota tion of supply spool 30 and maintaining tension on outer and inner films 36 and 38.

Light sources 1 75 interact with optical sensors 1 74 to sense the presence of a currency note 1 8 within mechanism 1 72. The optical sensors 1 74 signal to controller 1 62 that a currency note 1 8 is present within the mechanism 1 72. Controller 1 62 activates motor 1 70 and drive mechanism 1 73 which cooperate to activate the transport mechanism 1 72 so that a currency note located within mechanism 1 72 is transported away from cartridge 10 as shown in Fig. 6. The controller 162 verifies the passage of the currency note, counts the number of currency notes dispensed and reports to the customer operated controls of the ATM as required. The transport mechanism 1 72 transports the currency note 18 out through aperture 1 76 to a position where the customer can accept the note. The controller 1 62 continues to activate motor 170 and drive mechanisms 171 and 173 until the proper number of currency notes have been delivered through aperture 1 76.

When the controller 1 62 is first activated by a customer, optical sensors 1 74 immediately verify the presence or absence of a currency note within mechanism 1 72. Optical sensors 1 74 continue to constantly monitor the travel of currency notes through mechanism 1 72 during the entire dispensing cycle.

If so desired, an internal counter may be provided within cartridge 10 to provide a means to check the count obtained by optical sensors 1 74.

A series of dispensers 14 may be placed side by side within an ATM and provided with cartridges 10 having varied denominations therein. In this manner, the ATM will have great flexibility in providing a desired amount of currency to the customer. The code key on the cartridge 10 will indicate to controller 1 62 the denomination of the particular currency notes within the cartridge. If desired the operation of dispenser 14 may be reversed. The dispenser may then be used to load customer entered currency notes or other items into a cartridge. This reverse operation would require only a minor modification in transport mechanism 1 72 to accommodate transport in the opposite direction. It is clear the system of the present invention may also be used with teller windows or in a point of sale device in addition to its use in an ATM.

The two embodiments of the system described hereinabove provide a relatively low cost and high reliability method for dispensing currency notes. In the second embodiment, the system centralizes the difficult, complex and expensive job of separating and verifying individual currency notes of varying quality into a centrally located loader. A number of remote dispensers are provided which perform the relatively simple and inexpensive task of counting and dispensing individual currency notes. The self contained cartridge may be interchangeably connected with both the loader and dispenser. The loader acts to load a predetermined number of currency notes into the cartridge. The cartridge may then be transported to a remote dispenser in a secure and convenient manner. The dispenser then functions to dispense the individual currency notes from the loaded cartridge.

While only two embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing currency notes comprising a cartridge for receiving a predetermined number of currency notes; a loader for accepting a quantity of currency notes and loading the predetermined number of currency notes in an individual manner into said cartridge; and a dispenser for dispensing currency notes individually from said cartridge, said cartridge being selectively usable with both said loader and said dispenser and being transferable from said loader to said dispenser permitting said loader and said dispenser to be at remote locations.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said loader comprises: means for separating individual currency notes from a stack of currency notes; means for verifying the separation of individual currency notes; and means for transporting the individual currency notes to said cartridge and loading the individual currency notes into said cartridge.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said verifying means further comprises means for diverting damaged and doubled notes.

4. A system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said transporting means further comprises means for counting the individual currency notes loaded into said cartridge.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said dispenser comprises: means for activating said cartridge to transfer a currency note from said cartridge into said dispenser; a transport mechanism for transporting the currency note through said dispenser to a customer receiving area; means for sensing the presence of a cur-.

rency note within said dispenser and verifying passage of the currency note through said dispenser; and means for controlling said activating means and said transport mechanism to dispense a preselected number of currency notes to the customer receiving area.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said cartridge further has a code key to indicate to said dispenser the denomination of the currency notes loaded therein.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said cartridge com prises: a supply spool mounted for rotation within said cartridge; a takeup spool mounted for rotation within said cartridge; a film secured at opposite ends to said supply takeup spools for receiving thereon the individual currency notes loaded into said car tridge and for being wound about said supply spool with said notes thereon to store said notes in said cartridge.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said cartridge further comprises: a second takeup spool; and a second film secured to said second takeup spool and said supply spool and wound on said spools, the individual currency bills loaded into said cartridge being sandwiched between said films when wound on said supply spool.

9. A system according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said loader includes means for rotating said supply spool to wind the or each film and the individual currency notes on said supply spool and means for resisting the rota tion of the or each takeup spool to maintain a preselected tension on the or each film.

10. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein said dispenser includes means for rotating the or each takeup spool to unwind said film from said supply spool and present a currency note stored within said cartridge to said dispenser and means for resisting the rotation of said supply spool to maintain a preselected tension on said film.

11. A method of dispensing currency notes comprising the steps of: loading a cartridge with a predetermined number of currency notes with a loader pro vided with a quantity of currency notes; storing a predetermined number of currency notes within the cartridge in a discrete man ner; transferring the cartridge to a dispenser; and dispensing the currency notes individually from said cartridge in the dispenser, said cartridge being selectively usable with both said loader and said dispenser and per mitting said loader and said dispenser to be at remote locations.

1 2. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of loading said cartridge with the predetermined number of currency notes further comprises the steps of: picking individual currency notes from a stack of currency notes; verifying the transport of individual currency notes; transporting the individual currency notes to said cartridge and loading the individual currency notes therein; and counting the individual currency notes loaded within said cartridge.

1 3. A method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the step of dispensing the currency notes individually from said cartridge further comprises the steps of: withdrawing an individual currency note from said cartridge; transporting the withdrawn currency note to a customer receiving area by a transport mechanism; sensing the presence of the currency note within said transport mechanism and verifying passage of the note through said transport mechanism; and controlling the withdrawal of a currency note from said cartridge and transport through said transport mechanism to dispense a desired number of currency notes to the customer receiving area.

14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 1 3 wherein the step of storing a predetermined number of currency notes within a cartridge further comprises the steps of: rotating a supply spool within said cartridge; rotating at least one takeup spool in said cartridge; winding at least one flexible film around said spools, one end of said film being secured to said supply spool and the opposite end of said flexible film being secured to said takeup spool; guiding the flexible film between said supply spool and said takeup spool; and receiving the predetermined number of individual currency notes into said cartridge, the currency notes being placed on said flexible film and wound about said supply spool for storage.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the step of winding at least one flexible film around said spools comprises the steps of winding inner and outer flexible films around said spools, the individual currency notes being sandwiched between said films during storage.

16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 1 5 wherein the step of loading said cartridge further comprises the steps of: transporting the individual currency notes to said cartridge and into said cartridge adjacent said film; rotating said supply spool to wind said film and individual currency notes on said supply spool; and resisting the rotation of said takeup spool to maintain a desired tension in said film.

1 7. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the step of dispensing the currency notes individually from said cartridge further comprises the steps of: rotating said takeup spool to unwind said film and present a currency note to said dispenser; transporting the currency note to a customer receiving area; and resisting the rotation of said supply spool to maintain a desired tension in said film.

1 8. A system according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 9. A method according to claim 11, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS (23 March 1984)

1. A system for dispensing currency notes comprising a cartridge, for receiving a predetermined number of currency notes, including means for preventing unauthorised dispensing of currency notes from said cartridge and means for detecting unauthorised operation of said cartridge; a loader for accepting a quantity of currency notes and loading the predetermined number of currency notes in an individual manner into said cartridge; and a dispenser for authorised dispensing of currency notes individually from said cartridge, said cartridge being operable in conjunction with either said loader or said dispenser and being transferable from said loader to said dispenser, permitting said loader and said dispenser to be at remote locations.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said verifying means further comprises means for diverting damaged or doubled notes.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said dispenser comprises: means for activating said cartridge to transfer a currency note from said cartridge into said dispenser; a transport mechanism for transporting the currency note through said dispenser to a customer receiving area; means for sensing the presence of a currency note within said dispenser and verifying passage of the currency note through said dispenser; and means for controlling said activating means and said transport mechanism to dispense a preselected number of currency notes to the customer receiving area.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said cartridge comprises: a supply spool mounted for rotation within said cartridge; a takeup spool mounted for rotation within said cartridge; and a film secured at opposite ends to said supply takeup spools for receiving thereon the individual currency notes loaded into said cartridge and for being wound about said supply spool with said notes thereon to store said notes in said cartridge, and wherein: said preventing means in a means for interlocking said housing and said supply spool.

9. A system according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said loader includes means for rotating said supply spool to wind the or each film and the individual currency notes on said supply spool and means for resisting the rotation of the or each takeup spool to maintain a preselected tension on the or each film.

10. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein said dispenser includes means for rotating the or each takeup spool to unwind said film from said supply spool and present a currency note stored within said cartridge to said dispenser and means for resisting the rotation of said supply to maintain a preselected tension on said film.

11. A method of dispensing currency notes comprising the steps of: loading a cartridge with a predetermined number of currency notes with a loader provided with a quantity of currency notes; storing a predetermined number of currency note within the cartridge in a discrete manner; activating means for preventing unauthorised dispensing of said notes from the cartridge; providing means for detecting unauthorised operations of said cartridge; transferring the cartridge to a dispenser; and allowing authorised dispensing of the currency notes individually from said cartridge by the dispenser, said cartridge being operable in conjunction with either said loader or said dispenser and permitting said loader and said dispenser to be at remote locations.