bag and sealing method and apparatus

Abstract

A device for receiving sheet documents or coins from sheet document or coin processing equipment and sealing the sheet documents or coins in a bag. The device comprises a bag retainer for holding the bag, in a vertical orientation such that an open end of the bag is uppermost, thereby allowing falling sheet documents or coins discharged by the sheet document or coin processing equipment to collect in the bag, and a heat sealer for sealing the open end of the bag.

1 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A device for sealing sheet documents or coins in a bag, the device being adapted for receiving sheet documents or coins from sheet document or coin processing equipment in use, the device comprising a bag retainer for holding the bag, in use, in a vertical orientation such that an open end of the bag is uppermost, thereby allowing falling sheet documents or coins discharged by the sheet document or coin processing equipment to collect in the bag, and a heat sealer for sealing the open end of the bag. 
     
     
         45 . A device according to  claim 44 , wherein the bag retainer is adapted to hold the bag, in use, such that the open end of the bag is directly above a closed end of the bag, thereby allowing vertically falling sheet documents or coins discharged by the sheet document or coin processing equipment to collect on the closed end of the bag. 
     
     
         46 . A device according to  claim 44 , wherein the device further comprises an opening through which falling sheet documents or coins discharged by the sheet document or coin processing equipment may pass, in use, into the open end of the bag, wherein the opening is defined by a pair of flaps, each flap of which is movable between a first position in which a bag may be brought into engagement with the bag retainer and a second position in which the flaps hold the open end of the bag so that it does not impede the passage of falling sheet documents or coins into the bag. 
     
     
         47 . A device according to  claim 46 , wherein each flap of the pair of flaps clamps a respective portion of the open end of the bag against a respective side wall of the device when the flap is in the second position. 
     
     
         48 . A device according to  claim 44 , further comprising at least one finger movable between a first position in which the bag may be brought into engagement with the bag retainer and a second position in which the at least one finger contacts the side of the bag, in use. 
     
     
         49 . A device according to  claim 48 , further comprising a controller adapted to cause the at least one finger to move repeatedly between the first and second positions, thereby shaking the bag to ensure sheet documents do not adhere to the bag. 
     
     
         50 . A device according to  claim 44 , further comprising a pair of opposed fingers, wherein each finger of the pair of opposed fingers is movable between a first position in which the bag may be brought into engagement with the bag retainer and a second position in which the respective finger contacts a respective side of the bag, in use. 
     
     
         51 . A device according to  claim 50 , further comprising a controller adapted to cause each finger of the pair of opposed fingers to move repeatedly between the first and second positions, thereby shaking the bag to ensure sheet documents do not adhere to the bag. 
     
     
         52 . A method for sealing sheet documents or coins in a bag, the method comprising:
 holding a bag in a vertical orientation such that an open end of the bag is uppermost, thereby allowing falling sheet documents or coins discharged by a sheet document or coin processing equipment to collect in the bag;   receiving at least one sheet document or coin from the sheet document or coin processing equipment in the bag; and   sealing the open end of the bag.   
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 52 , further comprising holding the bag such that the open end of the bag is directly above a closed end of the bag, thereby allowing vertically falling sheet documents or coins discharged by the sheet document or coin processing equipment to collect on the closed end of the bag. 
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 52 , further comprising clamping the open end of the bag in a defined position such that the open end of the bag does not impede the passage of falling sheet documents or coins into the bag. 
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 52 , further comprising, prior to the step of sealing the open end of the bag, moving at least one finger from a first position in which the bag may be brought into position for holding in the vertical orientation such that the open end is uppermost to a second position in which the finger contacts a gusset portion in a side of the bag, thereby assisting the folding of the gusset portion. 
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 55 , further comprising moving the at least one finger repeatedly between the first and second positions, thereby shaking the bag to ensure sheet documents do not adhere to the bag. 
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 52 , further comprising, prior to the step of sealing the open end of the bag, moving a pair of opposed fingers from a first position in which the bag may be brought into position for holding in the vertical orientation such that the open end is uppermost to a second position in which each finger contacts a gusset portion in a respective side of the bag, thereby assisting the folding of the gusset portion in each respective side of the bag. 
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 57 , further comprising moving each finger of the pair of opposed fingers repeatedly between the first and second positions, thereby shaking the bag to ensure sheet documents do not adhere to the bag. 
     
     
         59 . A bag comprising:
 an open end and a closed end joined by four side walls, of which two opposing side walls are gusseted;   a rectangular frame for holding the closed end in a rectangular shape; and   a retaining element by which the bag may be retained, in use, in a vertical orientation such that an open end of the bag is uppermost, thereby allowing falling sheet documents or coins discharged by the sheet document or coin processing equipment to collect in the bag, wherein the retaining element comprises a pair of mounting rails disposed at the top of the two opposing, gusseted side walls, each mounting rail having an articulated joint, each articulated joint being co-axial with a central axis on a respective one of the gussets such that the mounting rails may fold along with the gusset;   wherein each of the four side walls has a first thickness, and additional layers of the first thickness are preferably provided in a sealing region on each of the non-gusseted side walls such that when the gusseted side walls are folded inwardly the sealing region has a uniform thickness.   
     
     
         60 . A bag according to  claim 59 , further comprising a heat sealer for sealing the open end. 
     
     
         61 . A sheet document or coin processing apparatus comprising a device according to  claim 44 , and comprising a sheet feed mechanism arranged to impart an upward curve or fold to each sheet document.