Importance

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Abstract

A sheet dispenser for selectively dispensing predetermined numbers of sheets, for example, paper currency of different denominations and having plural input stations each receiving a stack of each bill denomination. A feed roller at each station has a high friction surface portion which engages a bottom sheet and feeds the sheet between the feed roller and a cooperating stripper shoe to assure single sheet feeding. An elongated acceleration belt extends beneath all of the feed rollers. Cooperating acceleration pinch wheels form a nip with the belt for accelerating a sheet entering the nip. A curved resilient guide cooperates with each feed roller to guide sheets passing the stripper shoe toward its associated acceleration nip. The sheets pass along the acceleration belt to an outfeed stacker including a stacker wheel to facilitate the formation of a neat stack of sheets. Sensors detect the entry of a sheet into each acceleration nip and to assure proper positioning of the feed roller. Notches provided in each feed roller adjacent to the leading edge of the high friction surface assure movement of the leading edge of the sheet into the nip formed by the feed roller and stripper shoe to enhance sheet feeding. The drive motor for each feed roller rotates one revolution for each sheet to be dispensed. A microprocessor-based electronic control operates the motors to dispense a mix of denominations to preferably minimize the number of bills dispensed. An override is provided to alter the mix of the denominations. In the event that a sensor fails to sense the delivery of a bill to its associated acceleration nip the dispensing operation may be automatically repeated at least once.

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First Claim