GB2326192A

GB2326192A - A container for carrying valuables protected by a dye dispersal system

Info

Publication number: GB2326192A
Application number: GB9811997A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carlston Lyndsey Gibbard; Stephen John Gilmartin
Original assignee: GILLRANGE Ltd
Current assignee: GILLRANGE Ltd
Priority date: 1997-06-06
Filing date: 1998-06-04
Publication date: 1998-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-04
Also published as: GB9711601D0; GB2326192A8; GB9811997D0; GB2326192B

Abstract

A protection system (1) for carrying valuable items (12) comprises a container (2), an energy source for providing energy to the system, detection means (7) for detecting unauthorised interference with the container, dye emitting means (8) for emitting dye into the container, and a heat generation means (10) arranged to raise the temperature within the container to equal or exceed the melting point of any plastic wrapping around the valuable items for a period of time sufficiently long to ensure a major proportion of the plastic wrapping melts. The dye emitting and heat generating means are activated upon detection of unauthorised interference with the container.

Description

Protection System Field of the Invention This invention relates to a system for protecting valuable items such as cash and other tradable items having an intrinsic value, and in particular to a system for protecting cash wrapped in plastics materials.

Background to the Invention The transport of valuable items such as cash and other items from which profit can be made by having possession thereof, for example credit/debit cards, store cards, smart cards, vehicle and television licence certificates, share certificates, gift tokens, travellers' cheques, lottery tickets and scratch cards etc, from one place to another has always posed the problem of theft. Armoured security vehicles and secure vaults offer a high degree of protection and reduce the opportunities for theft.

However, valuable items are at their most vulnerable when being passed from the armoured security vehicle to the customer. At this point in the delivery chain the valuable items are protected only by the container in which they are held, and the guards delivering them. In many countries such guards are not armed.

To reduce the risk of theft, most companies use specially designed carrying cases to contain the money. These cases are fitted with a variety of locks and security devices which detect unauthorised attempts to open or remove the case. In the event of an unauthorised act being detected, pyrotechnic or liquid dye dispensing systems are triggered. These coat the valuable items with an indelible dye.

By dyeing bank notes, vehicle licence certificates, gift tokens, they cannot be used, and therefore even if a thief does gain possession of the items in the container they have no value. This system has proved to be an effective deterrent against theft.

It is generally accepted that in order to be effective a means to introduce dye to a container for carrying bank notes should be able to coat 30 percent of the surface area of 80 percent of the bank notes. By meeting these targets sufficient bank notes are covered with indelible dye to reduce losses and to deter thieves from taking the container carrying cash.

Recent changes in the procedures for carrying bank notes have seen the intro duction of special, high security, plastics bags. These protect the notes and are an effec tive means for preventing pilfering. However, the plastics bags also provide a barrier against dyes because they are impermeable to pyrotechnic and liquid dyes. When using these types of high security plastics bags, it is not possible to cover the bank notes with dye.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a protection system that would allow plastics bags to be used, but would also allow the dyeing of valuable items, such as bank notes, contained therein.

Summary of the Invention The invention provides a protection system comprising a container for carrying valuable items, an energy source for providing energy for the system, detection means to detect unauthorised interference with the container, dye emitting means for emitting dye into the container, and a heat generation means arranged to raise the temperature within the container to equal or exceed the melting point of plastics wrapping for the valuable items for a period of time sufficiently long to ensure that a major portion of the plastics wrapping melts, wherein the dye emitting means and the heat generation means are activated upon detection by the detection means of unauthorised interference with the container.

The energy source is suitably a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery, or may comprise primary cells.

Unauthorised interference with the container may comprise removing the con- tainer from a particular place, opening the container, or taking the container from a person carrying it.

Advantageously, the system comprises a delay means, whereby upon detection of unauthorised interference with the container the detection means first activates the heat generation means and after a predetermined time delay then activates the dye emitting means. The time delay is suitably in the range 2 to 3 seconds.

Advantageously, the heat generation means heats the inside of the container to several hundred degrees Celsius, and preferably for 2 to 3 seconds, and more preferably for approximately 2 seconds. The heat generation means may comprise a heat generating material such as a pyrotechnic device, which may be a flare. The heat generating material may be ignited by an electrically activated fuse head.

The dye emitting means may comprise means for generating dye-smoke, which may be pyrotechnic dye-smoke, and/or means for introducing a liquid into the container to indelibly dye the bank notes contained therein. The pyrotechnic dye may comprise potassium chlorate, lactose, kaolin and a dye.

The container is preferably of robust metal or plastics construction. The said container may be housed in a case.

The detection means may comprise a movement sensor and/or a pressure release switch and/or or a contact breaker switch. The movement sensor may comprise a passive infra-red detector, and/or a microwave detector. Alternatively, the detection means may be passive, and comprise a time delay system which allows a pre-set time period for delivery of the case, and assumes that an unauthorised act has taken place if delivery does not take place within the pre-set period. Means to de-activate the passive detection means may be provided. In use, if the case is not delivered in the time allowed, for example because a thief has attempted to steal the case, then the case will not be delivered in the time allowed and the detection means will detect an unauthorised act and activate the dye emitting means and the heat generation means.

The system may further comprise a signaliing system comprising a signal generating means and a monitoring station to receive a signal sent from the signal generating means, wherein the signal generating means is activated upon detection by the detection means of unauthorised interference with the container. The signal generating means may comprise a radio transmitter and the monitoring station may comprise a radio receiver. The signal generating means may be remotely activated.

The system may further comprise an alarm activated upon detection by the detection means of unauthorised interference with the container. The alarm may be an audible alarm. The audible alarm produce an alarm tone or tones, but it may alternatively produce a voice recorded or simulated message.

Preferably, the dye is indelible.

The invention provides a protection system that allows valuable items such as bank notes to be carried according to current practice, i.e. in plastics bags, but which also allows the valuable items to be rendered useless through the application of a dye thereto in the event of unauthorised acts.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawing illustrates diagrammatically an exemplary embodiment of a cash protection system according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings In the figure there is shown a protection system 1 comprising a case 2 having a handle 3. The case is similar to cases of the prior art used for carrying cash insofar as it is provided with a cable 13 having a wrist band attached to one end thereof. The other end of the cable is provided with a plug which fits into a socket 15 which is itself con nected to a detection means 7. The detection means houses the energy source for the system, e.g. a battery. If the case is stolen, the plug is pulled from the socket, and the detection means detects the absence of the plug indicating that an unauthorised act has taken place. Other methods of detection means may be used. For example, the detection means may comprise a radio receiver which receives a signal from a radio transmitter which indicates that an unauthorised act has taken place. The radio transmitter may be activated by a security guard sitting in an armoured vehicle whilst the case is being carried from the vehicle to the customer. Another type of detection means used comprises a timer. The timer is set to allow the carrier of the case a set amount of time to complete delivery of the case to the customer. If delivery is not accomplished within that time period it is assumed that an unauthorised act has taken place and the detection means activates the heat generation means and the dye emitting means. In these systems the guard generally has a code with which he can over ride the time delay if there is a legitimate reason for delivery taking longer than expected.

The case is divided into two compartments 4, 5 separated by a dividing wall 6.

In the figure compartment 4 is filled with bundles of cash 12 which are wrapped in plastics. Along one side of the compartment 4 there is a layer of heat generating material 10. Upon ignition of this material the temperature inside compartment 4 is raised to above 200 degrees Celsius. The material burns for approximately 2.5 seconds, which is sufficient to ensure that the plastics wrapping melts, but that the cash does not ignite.

The heat generating material is ignited by passing an electric current therethrough.

To the other side of the dividing wall 6 there is located a detector 7, a dyeemitting means 8, a trigger means 9 and a signalling means 11. The detector 7 has an input in the form of socket 15 into which the end of cable 13 may be inserted. When the plug end of the cable 13 is inserted into the plug 15 the circuit is complete.

The case 2 may be provided with a contact/breaker switch arranged to provide a signal to the detection means to indicate whether the case is closed or open. The switch may comprise a keypad or key lock to allow the contact/breaker switch to be isolated, thereby permitting authorised access to the case, but preventing unauthorised access.

if an unauthorised act takes place, for example the case is stolen, a circuit in the detection means 7 is broken. This causes a signal to be sent to the trigger means 9.

Upon receipt of the said signal, an electric current is passed through the heat generating material 10 which ignites. The detection means 7 is also arranged to send an activating signal to the dye-emitting means 8 when the plug of cable 13 is removed from the socket 15. Built into the dye-emitting means is a time delay system. Upon receipt of the activating signal from the detection means 7 there is a delay of 3 seconds before dye is emitted from the dye-emitting means 8 into the compartment 4. This is to allow for the plastics wrapping to melt before the dye is emitted, thereby ensuring that the required standard of dye coverage is achieved.

Claims

1. A protection system comprising a container for carrying valuable items, an energy source for providing energy for the system, detection means to de tect unauthorised interference with the container, dye emitting means for emitting dye into the container, and a heat generation means arranged to raise the temperature within the container to equal or exceed the melting point of plastics wrapping for the valuable items for a period of time suffi ciently long to ensure that a major portion of the plastics wrapping melts, wherein the dye emitting means and the heat generation means are acti vated upon detection by the detection means of unauthorised interference with the container.

2. A system according to Claim 1, the said system further comprising a delay means, whereby upon detection of unauthorised interference with the con tainer the detection means first activates the heat generation means and af ter a pre-determined time delay then activates the dye emitting means.

3. A system according to Claim 2, wherein the pre-determined time delay is in the range 2 to 3 seconds.

4. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the heat generation means heats the inside of the container to several hundred degrees Celsius for 2 to 3 seconds.

5. A system according to Claim 4, wherein the heat generation means heats the inside of the container for approximately 2 seconds.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the heat generation means comprises pyrotechnic device.

7. A system according to Claim 6, wherein the heat generation means is a flare.

8. A system according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the heat generation means is ignited by a fuse head.

9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the dye emitting means comprises means for generating dye-smoke, and/or means for introducing a liquid into the container to indelibly dye the bank notes contained therein.

10. A system according to Claim 9, wherein the dye smoke is pyrotechnic dye smoke.

11. A system according to Claim 10, wherein the pyrotechnic dye-smoke com prises potassium chlorate, lactose, kaolin and a dye.

12. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the dye emitting means is activated for at least two seconds upon receipt of a signal from the detec tion means.

13. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection means comprises a movement sensor, or a pressure release switch, or a con tact/breaker switch.

14. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises a signalling system comprising a signal generating means and a monitoring station to receive a signal sent from the signal generating means, wherein the signal generating means is activated upon detection by the de tection means of unauthorised interference with the container.

1 5. A system according to Claim 14, wherein the signal generating means com prises a radio transmitter and the monitoring station comprises a radio re ceiver.

1 6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the said system further comprises an alarm activated upon detection by the detection means of un authorised interference with the container.

17. A protection system substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.