Apparatus including a vacuum pump for assessing the condition of a bank note by measuring airflow drawn through the bank note

Claim 1

An apparatus for assessing the condition of a bank note, comprising: pump means (4,6) for generating a reduced pressure; a detector (8) for producing an electrical output indicative of air flow through said detector; suction means (10) connected to said pump means (4,6) via said detector (8); first feed means (14,16) for feeding a bank note from an entry location (50) along a first feed path (21) into cooperative relationship with said suction means (10) whereby said bank note covers, and is sucked against, said suction means (10); electronic control means (20) coupled to said detector (8) and arranged to make a determination of the condition of said bank note based on said electrical output; and said pump means including a vacuum pump (4) and a solenoid operated valve (6) which controls the connection of said vacuum pump (4) to said suction means (10), operation of said valve being controlled by said electronic control means (20); sensor means (30) for sensing said bank note as it is fed along said first feed path (21); timing means (32) associated with said first feed means (14,16); means for varying the time which elapses between the sensing of said bank note by said sensor means and the operation of said valve (6); and second feed means (16,52) for feeding said bank note along a second feed path (23) away from said suction means subsequent to said bank note having been sucked against said suction means.

Claim 2

An apparatus for assessing the condition of a bank note, comprising: pump means (4,6) for generating a reduced pressure; a detector (8) for producing an electrical output indicative of air flow through said detector; suction means (10) connected to said pump means (4,6) via said detector (8); first feed means (14,16) for feeding a bank note from an entry location (50) along a first feed path (21) into cooperative relationship with said suction means (10) whereby said bank note covers, and is sucked against, said suction means (10); electronic control means (20) coupled to said detector (8) and arranged to make a determination of the condition of said bank note based on said electrical output; and said pump means including a vacuum pump (4) and a solenoid operated valve (6) which controls the connection of said vacuum pump (4) to said suction means (10), operation of said valve being controlled by said electronic control means (20); sensor means (30) for sensing said bank note as it is fed along said first feed path (21); timing means (32) associated with said first feed means (14,16); means for varying the time which elapses between the sensing of said bank note by said sensor means and the operation of said valve (6); and second feed means (16,52) for feeding said bank note along a second feed path (23) away from said suction means subsequent to said bank note having been sucked against said suction means.