WO2007095676A1

WO2007095676A1 - A cash handling device and system

Info

Publication number: WO2007095676A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Loh Pit-Kin
Original assignee: Lim, Corene
Priority date: 2006-02-21
Filing date: 2007-02-20
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: CN101390133A; AU2007219046A1

Abstract

A cash handling device (100) comprising a housing arranged to contain a stack (108) of cash notes (102), first directing means (104, 106) for drawing a cash note into the housing, a separator (126) arranged such that during a cash dispensing operation, the separator is in contact with the notes stack (108), means (120) for moving at least a portion of an endmost cash note (128) in contact with the separator (126) away from the separator and subsequently towards the separator so as to dispose the endmost cash note (128) on a side of the separator opposite to the notes stack, and second directing means (124) for directing the endmost cash note out of the housing.

Description

A CASH HANDLING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cash handling device and system.

Background of the Invention

In most retail or service outlets, the process of handling cash is essentially manual. In a typical such process, a consumer withdraws cash from an automated teller machine (ATM) associated with a financial institution and the cash is used by the consumer to purchase goods or services through various retail or service outlets. On receipt of cash, a cashier manually counts the cash and uses a cash register to store the received cash and give change. At the end of a day or shift, the cashier generally sorts and counts all money in the cash register and hands the cash to outlet management for counting and subsequent transportation to a financial institution for banking. The cash received by the financial institution is generally counted by a bank teller. Representatives of the financial institution also need to regularly refill the ATM machines with large amounts of cash so that sufficient cash is available for consumers.

However, since the current process of handling cash involves repeated manual counting and sorting, the process is prone to human error. There is also a significant crime risk, in particular when refilling the ATM machine with cash because of the large amount of cash involved. Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash handling device comprising: a housing arranged to contain a stack of cash notes; first directing means for drawing a cash note into the housing; a separator arranged such that during a cash dispensing operation, the separator is in contact with the notes stack; means for moving at least a portion of an endmost cash note in contact with the separator away from the separator and subsequently towards the separator so as to dispose the endmost cash note on a side of the separator opposite to the notes stack; and second directing means for directing the endmost cash note out of the housing.

In ' one arrangement, the separator is a pin or blade.

In one arrangement, the means for moving at least a portion of an endmost cash note comprises a roller, which may be a half-roller.

The moving means may be arranged to move a first portion of the cash note disposed adjacent the separator and to not move a second portion of the cash note remotely disposed relative to the separator such that the first portion of the cash note folds when moved away from the separator. In one embodiment, the second portion of the cash note is restricted from moving by contact between an outlet roller and the cash note.

In one embodiment, the first directing means is arranged to direct a cash note onto a first side of a notes stack, and the second directing means is arranged to direct a cash note out of the housing from a second opposite side of the notes stack.

In an alternative embodiment, the first directing means is arranged to direct a cash note onto a side of a notes stack, and the second directing means is arranged to direct a cash note out of the housing from the same side of the notes stack.

The first directing means may comprise at least one inlet roller, and the second directing means may comprise at least one outlet roller.

In one arrangement, the cash handling device includes a retaining plate disposed at a side of the notes stack, the retaining plate comprising a cut out portion and serving to retain cash notes in the notes stack, and means for urging an introduced cash note to pass through the retaining plate and onto the notes stack during a cash receiving operation.

In one arrangement, the notes stack is resiliently biased towards the urging means and the first directing means is selectively movable towards and away from the urging means, wherein movement of the first directing means towards the urging means urges the cash note to pass through the retaining plate and onto the notes stack during a cash receiving operation.

In one embodiment, the cash handling device comprises means for distinguishing cash notes which may be in the form of an optical identification device.

In one embodiment, the cash handling device further comprises means for maintaining a running total of the amount of cash in the cash handling device which may include means for counting cash notes received in the cash handling device, means for counting cash notes dispensed by the cash handling device, and means for storing data indicative of the number of cash notes in the cash handling device or a cash amount associated with the cash notes in the notes stack in a memory.

The cash handling device may be arranged so as to be capable of receiving cash notes of one denomination or multiple denominations.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash recycling device including a cash handling device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash carrier device including a cash handling device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash register including a cash handling device in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

The cash register may be arranged so as to receive a cash carrier device and to transfer cash notes from the cash handling device to the cash carrier device when the cash carrier device is received in the cash register.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash repository, which may be an ATM machine, arranged to receive a cash handling device, the system being arranged so as to transfer cash notes in the cash handling device to cash repository when the cash handling device is received in the cash repository, wherein the cash handling device is engageable with the cash repository without opening the cash repository.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash handling device comprising: a housing; first directing means for directing a cash note into the housing and onto a side of a notes stack; and second directing means for directing a cash note out of the housing from a second opposite side of the notes stack.

In one arrangement, the cash handling device comprises a chamber for receiving an introduced cash note, the notes stack is disposed adjacent the chamber, the chamber includes an aperture of smaller size relative to the size of a cash note, and the first directing means comprises means for urging a cash note to pass through the chamber and onto the first side of the notes stack. The means for urging the cash note to pass through the aperture may include a reciprocably moveable plunger.

In one embodiment, the cash handling device further comprises a retaining device disposed between the chamber and the notes stack, the retaining device being resiliently biased towards the notes stack. The retaining device may include a cut-out portion configured such that the plunger is receivable through the cut-out portion so that the plunger is able to urge a cash note to pass through the retaining device and onto the first side of the notes stack during use. The retaining device may be substantially U-shaped. The cash handling device may further comprise a restrictor arranged to ensure that cash notes are dispensed individually.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash recycling system comprising a cash handling device in accordance with the first or second aspects of the present invention.

Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures Ia to Ie are diagrammatic representations of a cash handling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a plunger of the cash handling device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a lower surface of a chamber of the cash handling device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a retaining device of the cash handling device shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5a to 5f are, diagrammatic representations of a cash carrier device for use with a cash recycling system including the cash handling device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating part of a cash recycling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a cash register incorporating a cash handling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a system for recycling cash in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 9a to 9h are diagrammatic representations of a cash handling device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, in Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a cash handling device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The cash handling device 10 is useable to receive cash in note form and to dispense cash in note form, and for this purpose the cash handling device 10 includes a note inlet aperture 12 and a note outlet aperture 14 each of which is of generally elongate slit-like configuration.

The cash handling device 10 of the present example is configured for use with one denomination. However, it will be understood that in practice either several cash handling devices 10, each associated with a different denomination, or one cash handling device capable of handling multiple denominations would be provided.

Cash notes 15 are drawn into the cash handling device 10 through the inlet aperture 12 using inlet rollers 16. Similarly, cash notes are urged out of the cash handling device 10 through the outlet aperture 14 using outlet rollers 18.

Notes 15 which are introduced into the cash handling device 10 using the inlet rollers 16 are individually transported to a container 20, the container 20 having an aperture 22 of generally rectangular shape on a lower surface 24 of the container 20, as shown more particularly in Figure 3. Disposed in the container 20 and reciprocably movable towards and away from the aperture 22 is a plunger 25, the arrangement being such that when a cash note is present in the container 20 between the plunger 25 and the aperture 22, the note may be forced through the aperture 22 by reciprocably moving the plunger 25 towards the note and through the aperture 22. For this purpose, the aperture 22 is slightly larger than the plunger 25. In order that the cash note 15 is retained in the container 20 until forced out of the container 20 by the plunger 25, the aperture 22 is slightly smaller than the cash note 15.

The cash handling device 10 also includes a retaining device, in this example in the form of a substantially U- shaped retaining plate 26 shown more particularly in Figure 4. The retaining plate 26 includes a substantially rectangular cut-out portion 28 of slightly greater size than the plunger 25 and of slightly smaller size than the cash note. Beneath the retaining plate 26 is a stack of notes 30 to be dispensed by the cash handling device 10. The retaining plate 26 serves to retain the stack of notes 30 in place and for this purpose the retaining plate 26 may be slightly biased towards the stack of notes 30.

The cash handling device 10 also includes a restrictor 32 which serves to cooperate with the outlet rollers 18 so as to ensure that cash notes are dispensed individually.

The cash handling device 10 also includes means for distinguishing cash notes in the form of an optical identification device 31. A control unit 33 and memory 35 are also provided for storing data indicative of the current number of notes in the cash handling device 10, and controlling and coordinating operations in the cash handling device 10, including adding and subtracting operations .

In operation, a cash note is introduced into the inlet aperture 12 and is drawn into the container 20 by the inlet rollers 16 as shown in Figures Ia and Ib. When the note is located fully inside the chamber 20, the chamber 20 moves downwards until the chamber 20 rests on the retaining plate 26, and the plunger 25 moves downwards so that it passes through the aperture 22 and the cut-out portion 28 until the note 15 in contact with the plunger 25 touches the stack of notes 30. The plunger 25 then continues to push downwards until the chamber 20 is lifted up thereby causing the note to fully pass through the aperture 22 and the cut-out portion 28, as shown in Figure Id. The plunger 25 and chamber 20 then move upwards until the plunger 25 and chamber 20 are disposed in the position shown in Figure Ia.

In order to dispense a note from the stack of notes 30, the outlet rollers 18 are activated so as to cause a note to pass through a gap defined by the outlet rollers 18 and the restrictor 32 and out of the cash handling device 10 through the outlet aperture 14 as shown in Figure Ie.

It will be understood that during the cash note receiving operation, the identification device 31 identifies the denomination of the introduced cash note, and during both the cash note receiving operation and the cash note dispensing operation, the cash notes are counted and a running total of the number of each notes stored in the memory.

It will also be understood that the cash handling device 10 is arranged such that cash notes are received on a first side of a notes stack during a note receiving operation, and cash notes are dispensed from a second opposite side of the notes stack during a note dispensing operation. The cash handling device 10 may also be used as or part of a cash carrier device to transport cash between remotely- disposed locations.

In this example, the cash handling device 10 serves as a cash recycling device and forms part of a cash recycling system which also includes a separate cash carrier device 40 shown more particularly in Figures 5a to 5f .

As with the above described cash handling device 10, the present cash carrier device 40 is configured for use with one denomination. However, it will be understood that in practice either several cash handling devices 10, each associated with a different denomination, or one cash handling device capable of handling multiple denominations would be provided.

The cash carrier device 40 includes an inlet aperture 42 for receiving cash notes during use, and an outlet aperture 44 through which notes exit the cash carrier device 40 during use. The cash carrier device 40 also includes inlet rollers 46 and outlet rollers 48 which are used respectively for drawing notes into and urging notes out of the cash carrier device 40 during use. Intermediate rollers 50 are also provided to assist in moving notes into and out of the cash carrier device 40. Notes introduced into the cash carrier device 40 are drawn into a carrier chamber 52 for storage and subsequent dispensation through the outlet aperture 44, the chamber 52 including a plunger 54 mounted so as to be reciprocably movable towards and away from the intermediate rollers 50. Notes which are introduced into the chamber 52 are disposed on the plunger 54 in a notes stack 56.

The cash carrier device 40 also includes a flap 58 disposed in the carrier chamber 52 and movable between a first position as shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 5d and a second position as shown in Figures 5c, 5e and 5f . The flap 58 serves to selectively retain notes in the notes stack 56 and to urge new notes to be added to the stack 56.

The cash carrier device 40 also includes a restrictor 60 which serves to ensure that only one note at a time is dispensed by the cash carrier device 40. The cash carrier device 40 also includes means for distinguishing cash notes from each other, in this example in the form of an optical identification device 59. A control unit 61 and memory 63 may also be provided for storing data indicative of the current number of notes in the cash carrier device 40, and controlling and coordinating operations in the cash carrier device, including adding and subtracting operations .

The primary purpose of the cash carrier device 40 within the context of the cash recycling system is to provide a convenient automated way of transporting and transferring cash notes between retailers and cash repositories such as ATM machines of financial institutions.

During use, a cash note 15 is introduced into the inlet aperture 42 and the note is drawn into the chamber 52 by the inlet rollers 46. The intermediate rollers 50 assist in encouraging the note to move in a predetermined way without folding. When the note is fully disposed inside the chamber 52 as shown in Figure 5b, the flap 58 moves to the second position and subsequently back to the first position which causes the note to fall onto the notes stack 56.

In order to dispense notes, the plunger 54 moves in an upwardly direction as shown in Figure 5e and the intermediate rollers 50 and the outlet rollers 48 operate so as to urge the notes to pass between the intermediate rollers 50 and the restrictor 60, and through the outlet aperture 44.

It will be understood that during receipt of a cash note, the identification device 59 identifies the denomination of the introduced cash note, and during both the receipt and dispensation of a cash note, the cash notes are counted and a running total of the number of cash notes stored in the memory.

It will also be understood that the cash carrier device 40 is arranged such that cash notes are received on a side of a notes stack and dispensed from the same side of the notes stack.

An ATM machine 70 which may form part of a cash recycling system in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 6, the ATM machine 70 including a housing 71, a card aperture 72 for receiving an ATM card associated with a user, and a cash handling device 10. The ATM 70 is configured so as to receive and operatively engage with a further cash handling device 10 or a cash carrier device 40 and to receive cash from an engaged further cash handling device or cash carrier device 40 during use for the purpose of refilling the ATM machine 70 and/or transferring cash to an account associated with the owner of the cash handling device or cash carrier device. In this example, a cash carrier device 40 engages with the ATM 70 by introducing the cash carrier device 40 through a slot 73 provided on the housing 71. In this way, the cash carrier device 40 is engageable with the ATM 70 without having to completely open the ATM 70. The cash handling device 10 incorporated into the ATM machine 70 is arranged so that during use when a cash carrier device 40 is engaged with the ATM 70, cash notes from the cash carrier device 40 are transferred to the cash handling device 10 in the ATM 70 for subsequent dispensation to ATM users. Similarly, instead of an ATM machine, other types of cash repository configured so as to receive and operatively engage with a cash handling device 10 or a cash carrier device 40 and to receive cash from an engaged cash handling device or cash carrier device 40 during use may be provided. As with the ATM machine 70, a cash carrier device 40 may be arranged to engage with the cash repository by introducing the cash carrier device 40 through a slot provided on the cash repository housing.

In this way, the cash carrier device 40 is engageable with the cash repository without having to completely open the cash repository.

Also for use with a cash recycling system in accordance with the present invention is a cash repository in the form of a cash register 76 as shown in Figures 7a and 7b.

The cash register 76 includes a screen 78, buttons 79, and a cash handling device 10.

The cash register 76 is able to receive, or has incorporated therein, a cash handling device 10 so that during use the cash register 76 is able to receive and dispense cash notes and maintain a running total of the amount of cash notes in the cash register. The cash register 76 is also able to receive and engage with a further cash handling device or a cash carrier device 40, the arrangement being such that when the further cash handling device or the cash carrier device 40 is engaged with the cash register 76, cash notes in the cash handling device 10 are transferred to the further cash handling device or cash carrier device 40 for subsequent transportation to a remote cash repository, for example for engagement with a cash repository such as an ATM machine 70 as shown in Figure 6. It will be understood that the cash register 76 would also be provided with a coin recycling mechanism arranged to receive and dispense coins in association with the notes recycling mechanism of the cash handling device 10.

An example of a cash recycling system in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in steps 82 to 94 of the flow diagram 80 shown in Figure 8.

A customer first draws cash from an ATM machine 70 and the customer purchases goods or services using the cash. A cashier then disposes the cash notes in the cash register by introducing the notes into the inlet aperture 12 of the cash handling device 10. The notes are identified and counted by the cash handling device 10, and a running total of the cash amount in the cash handling device 10 and thereby in the cash register 76 is stored in the memory. The cash register 76 then dispenses an appropriate amount of change through the outlet aperture 14.

At the end of each trading period, for example at the end of each day, the cashier engages a cash carrier device 40 with the cash register 76 and cash is automatically transferred from the cash handling device 10 to the cash carrier device 40. The cash carrier device 40 is then transported to a financial institution and engaged with an ATM machine 70. This causes cash in the cash carrier device 40 to be transferred from the cash carrier device 40 to the cash handling device 10 in the ATM machine.

The cash repository to which cash in a cash handling device .10 or cash carrier device 40 is transferrable may be an ATM machine 70, cash register 76 or any other cash repository, and may be arranged to receive and operatively engage with a cash handling device or cash carrier device in any suitable way. For example, the cash repository may be provided with a slot having a door which may be opened to allow insertion of a cash handling device or cash carrying device. Alternatively, a side of the cash repository may be provided with a slit for receiving cash notes and an attachment device which enables a cash repository to be attached to the side of the cash repository adjacent the slit so that a notes outlet of the cash repository is aligned with the slit.

In order to facilitate identification of the cash handling device or cash carrier device prior to transfer of cash between the cash handling device or cash carrier device and the cash repository, the memory 35, 63 may store user identification information and date/time stamp information. The user identification information is communicated to the cash repository so as to identify the cash handling device or cash carrier device, for example wirelessly using RFID, RF techniques or a transponder. For a cash repository including a slot with a door, positive identification may trigger opening of the slot door. The cash repository may also require a user to enter a password and/or PIN in order to further identify the user and/or an account associated with the user. After successful identification of the user, transfer of cash notes from the cash handling device or cash carrier device to the cash repository commences, and appropriate adjustments are made to the running total of cash notes recorded in the memory 35, 63.

The cash handling device or cash carrier device may derive power from an internal battery or may include electrical contacts which align with corresponding contacts provided on the cash repository when the cash handling device or cash carrier device is engaged with the cash repository.

Referring to Figures 9a to 9h of the drawings, an alternative cash handling device 100 is shown. As with the cash handling device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4, the operative components of the cash handling device 100 would be disposed in a housing although this has been omitted for clarity. Additional features not described in the present embodiment but present in the cash handling device 10 or cash carrier device described above in relation to Figures 1 to 5 may also be included in the cash handling device 100.

A cash note 102 is drawn into the cash handling device 100 using adjacently disposed pairs of first and second conveyors 104, 106, with each received cash note 102 being subsequently transferred to a notes stack 108 formed between a base plate 110 and a retaining plate 112. In order that a received cash note 102 may be added to the notes stack 108, the retaining plate 112 is provided with a cut-out portion 114 and, accordingly, the configuration of the retaining plate 112 may be similar to the configuration of the retaining plate 26 of the cash handling device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4.

The base plate 110 and thereby the notes stack 108 is resiliently biased towards the first and second conveyors 104, 106, in this example using a coil spring 116. As can be seen from Figures 9a and 9b, during initial stages of a note receiving operation, the spring 116 is relatively compressed.

The cash handling device 100 also includes first, second and third outlet rollers 120, 122 and 124 respectively, and a separator 126, in this example in the form of a separator pin or a separator blade.

The first and second conveyors 104, 106 and the third outlet roller 124 are reciprocably movable in a direction towards and away from the first and second outlet rollers 120, 122 in order to facilitate receipt and dispensation of a cash note 102.

During use, as shown in Figures 9a and 9b, a cash note 102 is drawn into the cash handling device 100 using the first and second conveyors 104, 106 which are configured so as to move in opposite directions.

The conveyors 104, 106 and the third outlet roller 124 then move upwards away from the spring 116 which causes the spring 116 to expand and thereby the base plate 110, the retaining plate 112 and the notes stack 108 to also move in an upwards direction behind the second conveyor 106 as shown in Figure 9c. Since the first and second outlet rollers 120, 122 do not move with the first and second conveyors 104, 106, upwards movement of the cash note 102 will cause the cash note 102 to contact the second outlet roller 122. Further movement of the conveyors 104, 106 causes the cash note 102 to fold and pass through the cut-out portion 114 formed in the retaining plate 112. As can be seen in Figure 9d, after passing through the cut-out portion 114 and traveling past the separator 126, the cash note 102 is disposed on top of the notes stack 108.

Figures 9e to 9h illustrate a cash dispensing operation which operates as follows .

In order to commence a cash dispensing operation, the first and second conveyors 104, 106 and the third outlet roller 124 first move to a position wherein the third outlet roller 124 is disposed slightly above the separator 126 and the second outlet roller 122 is in contact with the uppermost cash note 128 in the notes stack 108. As shown in Figure 9f, the first outlet roller 120 then rotates in a direction so as to cause a portion of the uppermost cash note 128 adjacent the separator 126 to move away from the separator 126 and fold between the first and second outlet rollers 120, 122. Movement of the uppermost cash note 128 in this way serves to free the uppermost cash note 128 from the separator 126. As shown in Figure 9g, the first outlet roller 120 then rotates in an opposite direction so as to cause the portion of the uppermost cash note 128 adjacent the separator 126 to move towards the separator 126. Since the separator 126 is relatively sharp and by virtue of the relatively steep angle of the separator 126 relative to the notes stack

108, the portion of the uppermost cash note 128 adjacent the separator 126 travels above the separator 126 thereby separating the uppermost cash note 128 from the notes stack 108. The second outlet roller 122, the third outlet roller 124 and the second conveyor 106 then move so as to force the uppermost cash note 128 out of the cash recycler 100, as shown in Figure 9h.

It will be understood that the cash handling device 100 may also be used as a cash carrier device and may be used instead of the cash carrier device 40 of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 to transport cash and transfer cash to or from a cash repository such as an ATM machine 70 or a cash register 76. In other words, the cash handling device 100 may perform both cash recycling and cash carrying functions in a cash recycling system.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A cash handling device comprising: a housing arranged to contain a stack of cash notes; first directing means for drawing a cash note into the housing; a separator arranged such that during a cash dispensing operation, the separator is in contact with the notes stack; means for moving at least a portion of an endmost cash note in contact with the separator away from the separator and subsequently towards the separator so as to dispose the endmost cash note on a side of the separator opposite to the notes stack; and second directing means for directing the endmost cash note out of the housing.

2. A cash handling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for moving at least a portion of an endmost cash note comprises a roller.

3. A cash handling device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said moving means comprises a half-roller.

4. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moving means is arranged to move a first portion of the cash note disposed adjacent the separator and to not move a second portion of the cash note remotely disposed relative to the separator such that the first portion of the cash note folds when moved away from the separator.

5. A cash handling device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second portion of the cash note is restricted from moving by contact between an outlet roller and the cash note.

6. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separator is a pin or blade.

7. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first directing means is arranged to direct a cash note onto a first side of a notes stack, and the second directing means is arranged to direct a cash note out of the housing from a second opposite side of the notes stack.

8. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first directing means is arranged to direct a cash note onto a side of a notes stack, and the second directing means is arranged to direct a cash note out of the housing from the same side of the notes stack.

9. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first directing means comprises at least one conveyor, and the second directing means comprises at least one outlet roller.

10. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a retaining plate disposed at a side of the notes stack, the retaining plate comprising a cut out portion and serving to retain cash notes in the notes stack, and means for urging an introduced cash note to pass through the retaining plate and onto the notes stack during a cash receiving operation.

11. A cash handling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retaining device is substantially U-shaped.

12. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the notes stack is resiliently biased towards the urging means and the first directing means is selectively movable towards and away from the urging means, wherein movement of the first directing means towards the urging means urges the cash note to pass through the retaining plate and onto the notes stack during a cash receiving operation.

13. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a restrictor arranged to ensure that cash notes are dispensed individually.

14. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for distinguishing cash notes.

15. A cash handling device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means for distinguishing cash notes comprises an optical identification device.

16. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for maintaining a running total of the amount of cash in the cash handling device.

17. A cash handling device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a memory, and wherein said means for maintaining a running total comprises means for counting cash notes received in the cash handling device, means for counting cash notes dispensed by the cash handling device, and means for storing data indicative of the number of cash notes in the cash handling device or a cash amount associated with the cash notes in the notes stack in the memory.

18. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cash handling device is arranged so as to be capable of receiving cash notes of one denomination.

19. A cash handling device as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 17, wherein the cash handling device is arranged so as to be capable of receiving cash notes of multiple denominations.

20. A cash recycling device including a cash handling device as claimed in any one claims 1 to 19.

21. A cash carrier device including a cash handling device as claimed in any one claims 1 to 19.

22. A cash register including a cash handling device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.

23. The cash register as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cash register is operatively engageable with a cash handling device, and the cash handling device is arranged to transfer cash notes from the cash register to the cash handling device when the cash handling device is received in the cash register.

24. An ATM machine arranged such that a cash handling device is engageable with the ATM machine, and arranged so as to transfer cash notes in the cash handling device to the ATM machine when the cash handling device is engaged with the ATM machine, wherein the cash handling device is engageable with the ATM machine without opening the ATM machine.

25. A cash repository arranged such that a cash handling device is engageable with the cash repository, and arranged so as to transfer cash notes in the cash handling device to the cash repository when the cash handling device is engaged with the cash repository, wherein the cash handling device is engageable with the cash repository without opening the cash repository.

26. A cash recycling system comprising a cash handling device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.