Apparatus For Processing Sheets Inserted Sertically, In Particular An Automatic Validating Machine For Documents, Such As Cheques

An apparatus ( 10 ) suitable to process sheets ( 13 ), in particular comprised of an validating machine ( 10 ) for the validation of documents ( 13 ) such as cheques or similar documents, comprising a vertical guide ( 11 ), and a pair of arms ( 22 a , 22 b) suitable to hold and support a cheque ( 13 ) along a respective lower edge ( 13 a) in a first hold position (Pi), when the cheque ( 13 ) is inserted into the vertical guide ( 11 ), wherein in response to the presence and alignment of the cheque ( 13 ) in said first position (Pi), two pairs of rotating rollers ( 42 a , 42 b , 44 a , 44 b) automatically engage the cheque ( 13 ) from opposite sides, the arms ( 22 a , 22 b) are moved out of contact with the lower edge ( 13 a) of the cheque ( 13 ), in order to free the feeding path of the cheque towards the interior of the validating machine, and the cheque is also fed vertically, in a downward direction, by means of the two pairs of rollers from the said first position (P 1 ) to a second processing position (P 2 ) in the validation zone for being validated. The cheque ( 13 ) inserted into the validating machine ( 10 ) can also be moved in a horizontal direction, for example, in order to perform the detection of data recorded on the cheque ( 13 ) by means of a magnetic detection unit ( 76 ). The validating machine ( 10 ) permits easy and practical manual insertion of the document to be validated from above, in a vertical direction, still at the same time ensuring correct and safe alignment of said document in the vertical guide, whereupon it activates and controls in a completely automatic manner the related validation cycle.