GB2506163A

GB2506163A - A security apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2506163A
Application number: GB1216981.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nick Tripp; Stuart Mills
Original assignee: Spinnaker International Ltd
Current assignee: Secure Innovation Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-24
Filing date: 2012-09-24
Publication date: 2014-03-26
Also published as: GB201216981D0

Abstract

A security system comprises a security container and a cassette configured to be received in the security container. The cassette has at least one wall in which a locator receiving formation, such as an aperture, is formed. The security container is associated with a locator element, preferably frusto conical in shape, which is configured to engage, preferably by an interference fit, with the locator receiving formation to ensure the cassette is in a desired position within the security container. Preferably, this desired position is so that when a spoiling mechanism is activated, notes in the cassette will be in the right place to be spoiled.

Description

I

SECURITY APPARATUS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to security apparatus and, more particularly, to a cassette, an adaptor and a security container.

Background to the Invention

In order to ftcilitate the process of replenishing automated teller machines (ATMs) it is common %r cassettes to be used to store bank notes, both in the ATM and in transit to and fixm ATMs. An empty ATM cassette can simply be removed fix,m the ATM and replaced with a cassette which has been pre-filled with bank notes.

ATM cassettes arc an attractive targct %r thicvcs, since they may contain 2000 bank notes or more, and are particularly vulnerable to theft dining transportation and delivery to an ATM. To deter thieves and discourage attempts at theft, ATM cassettes are sometimes provided with spoiling systems which are operative to spoil the notes contained in the ATM cassette, tbr example by spraying them with an indelible ink or dye or an adhesive, in the event that an attempt at theft or other unauthoiised interference with the ATM cassette is detected. It is almost impossible to clean bank notes which have been marked in this way, and thus they cannot easily be used in normal transactions involving a human cashier.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a security system comprising: a security containcç a cassette configured to be reccived in the security container, the cassette having at least one wall in which a locator receiving fbrmation is formed; wherein the locator receiving formation is configured to receive a locator clement associated with the security container for guiding the cassette into a desired position within the security container.

The locator element may be configured to retain the cassette in said desired position within the security container. The locator element may be substantially frusto-conical.

The locator receiving formation may be formed in a recess of the at least one wall of the cassette. The locator receiving formation may comprise an aperture.

The locator element may be configured to form an interference fit attachment with the at least one wall of the cassette. An outer surface of the locator element may be configured to engage an inner edge of the aperture.

The locator receiving formation may comprise a region of weakness relative to the wall of the cassette.

The security system may further comprise a spoiling system for spoiling contents of the security container when the spoiling system is actuated. The spoiling system may comprise a needle configured to move from a first position before the spoiling system is actuated to a second position after the spoiling system has been actuated.

A channel may be formed through the locator element.

In said second position, the needle may be positioned through the channel in the locator clement. The channel through the locator clement may be curved so as to urge the needle towards the contents of the security container.

Upon actuation of the spoiling system, the needle may be configured to puncture the region of weakness.

According to a sccond aspcct of thc prcsdnt invcntion thcrc is providcd an adaptor for adapting a security container to accommodate a cassette, the adaptor comprising a locator element configured to engage a corresponding locator receiving formation formed in the cassette, so as to guide the cassette into a desired position relative to the security container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a security container for accommodating a cassette, the security container comprising a locator element configured to engage a corresponding locator receiving formation formed in the cassette, so as to guide the cassette into a desired position relative to the security container.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention thcrc is provided a casscttc for usc in a security system as dcscribcd hcrcin.

Brief Description of the Drawinis

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an ATM cassette according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a security container in an open condition; Figure 3 is a schematic cross-scctional view of part of an ATM cassette; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a full ATM cassette installed in a security container; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a frill ATM cassette installed in a security container, in which a spoiling system of the security container is in an activated condition; and Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a note guide for use in embodiments of the present invention.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring first to Figure 1, an ATM cassette is shown generally at 10, and comprises a base 12, side walls 14 and end walls 16. A lid 18 is hingedly attached to one of the end walls 16 to permit access to an interior of the ATM cassette 10 for filling the ATM cassette with bank notes and for emptying the ATM cassette 10.

The lid 18 is provided with a plurality of locator receiving formations which, in one embodiment, arc holes or apertures 20 which permit access to the interior of the ATM cassette 10 by dispensing needles of a spoiling system of a security container in which the ATM cassette 10 may be accommodated. This embodiment of the ATM cassette 10 is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with a security container which is provided with a spoiling system such as that disclosed in the applicant's European patent no. EP1499787B. 1-lowever, it is to be appreciated the ATM cassette 10 may be used in conjunction with security containers which employ other spoiling systenm which use dispensing needles or injectors to dispense a spoiling agent. Equally, it will be appreciated that, in certain applications, it may be appropriate to provide the holes or apertures 20 in the base 12 of the ATM cassette 10, and/or in one or both of the side walls 14 and/or in one or both of the end walls 16 of the ATM cassette in addition to or instead of providing the holes or apertures in the lid 18 of the ATM cassette.

It will also be appreciated that while, in this embodiment, the locator receiving formation comprises six apertures 20 which are formed in the lid 18 of the ATM cassette 10, more or fewer apertures could be formed. Furthermore, while, in the shown embodiment, the apertures 20 are arranged in two rows, offset with respect to one another, other arrangements can be envisaged.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a security container in an open condition. In Figure 2, the security container is shown generally at 30, and comprises a base 32 and a lid 34. The lid 34 is hingedly attached to the base 32 to permit access to an interior of the security container 30.

A spoiling system 36 is provided in the base 32 of the security container 30, which spoiling system 36 comprises a plurality of reservoirs containing a fluid spoiling agent such as an indelible dye, ink, adhesive or the like. The spoiling system 36 has a plurality of fluid dispensers of the type described in the applicant's European patent no. EP1499787B, having injectors or needles which are configured to extend outwardly of the base 32 of the security container 30 and to dispense the spoiling agent onto the contents of the security container 30 on activation of the spoiling system 36.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spoiling system 36 for use in the security container 30 described herein. The spoiling system 36 of the security container has a plurality of fluid dispensers 38 having injectors or needles 40 which, on activation of the spoiling system 36, extend outwardly of the spoiling system. Locator or retaining elements 42 extend from the base 32 of the spoiling system 26. The purpose of the locator elements 42 is two-fold. Firstly, they function as guides for correctly aligning an ATM cassette 10, of the type described above with reference to Figure 1, in the security container. When the ATM cassette 10 is placed in the security container, it is important that it is positioned not only in the correct orientation, but also in the correct position relative to the spoiling system 36. The reason for this will be discussed in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Secondly, the locator elements 42 function as guides for the injectors or needles 40 as they extend outwardly of the spoiling system 36 when the spoiling system is activated. As is shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the needles are arranged to flex or bend in the direction of the notes upon activation of the spoiling system. In other embodiments, additional guide elements may be provided to assist the flexing of the needles 40 in the required direction. Alternatively, the fluid dispensers 38 may be adapted to rotate such that the needles 40 are not required to flex or bend to such a great degree and, instead, are rotated into the required orientation.

The locator elements 42 may be formed integral with the surface from which they extend, or separately and attached to the surfitce.

In this embodiment, the locator elements 42 are generally frusto-conical in shape.

However, it will be appreciated that locator elements having other shapes can be envisaged so long as they serve the purposes described above. An advantage of frusto-conical locator elements 42 is that an interference fit; or frictional bond, is formed between an outer surfhee of each locator element 42 and the aperture 20 in the lid 18 of the ATM cassette 10, into which the locator element is arranged to fit. In some embodiments, the locator elements 42 are formed from a plastics material, such as Polyoxymethylene (POM). The locator elements 42 may be formed am the same material as a base of the spoiling system 36. Alternatively, the locator elements 42 may be formed am rubber, which would improve a frictional bond formed between a locator element and an aperture into which the locator element is fitted.

Another advantageous feature of the locator elements 42 is that the shape of the channel formed through each of the locator elements can be chosen to guide the needle 40 towards the bank notes 46. For example, an inner surface of the locator elements 42 might be tapered towards the opening of the locator element nearest the bank notes, or curved in such a way that a needle 40 engaging with that inner surface is urged towards the bank notes.

In the above-described embodiment, the locator elements 42 are located such that they extend from the base of the spoiling system 36. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the locator elements 42 may alternatively by located elsewhere, such as on the base of the security container 30 if, for example, no spoiling system 36 is present between the security container and the ATM cassette 10. Alternatively, the locator elements 42 may be located on an adaptor (not shown) configured to fit into the security container, in a manner and location similar to the spoiling system 36, and onto which the ATM cassette 10 can be positioned. Such an adapter can be used if for example, the security container 30 does not include a spoiling system 36 or locator elements 42 on its base, and means are required for guiding the ATM cassette 10 into and retaining the cassette 10 in a correct position in the container. An adaptor could, therefore, be used to retrofit existing containers 30 to receive and retain cassettes 10 of the type described herein.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view on the line A-A of Figure 1, showing a full ATM cassette 10 installed in a security container 30. As can be seen from Figure 4, the ATM cassette 10 is installed in the security container 30 in an upside-down orientation, that is to say with its lid 18 facing towards the base 32 and spoiling system 36 of the security container. The ATM cassette 10 is provided with note guides 44 which retain bank notes 46 stored in the ATM cassette 10 in position and guide the bank notes 46 as they are being dispensed from the ATM cassette 10 when it is installed in an ATM.

The note guide 44 is provided with holes or apertures 48 which are aligned with the holes or apertures 20 of the ATM cassette 10 so as to form an access path from the exterior of the ATM cassette 10 to its interior.

In some embodiments, particularly those embodiments in which the locator elements 42 are frusto-conical in shape, the apertures 20 formed in the ATM cassette 10 are larger than the apertures 48 formed in the note guides 48. By forming the apertures 20, 48 so that their sizes correspond to the size of the locator element 42 being received by those apertures, edgcs of the locator clement engage with the ATM cassette 10, and with the note guide 44. Thus, a stronger and more secure bond between the locator elements 42 and the ATM cassette 10 can be formed. Furthermore, the locator elements 42 form a channel from the spoiling system 36 to the notes 46 contained within the ATM cassette 10, thereby reducing the chance of spoiling agent from the spoiling system 36 being released in to the space bcttcn the ATM cassette and the spoiling system, or the space between the lid 18 of the ATM cassette and the note guides 44.

On activation of the spoiling system 36, the injectors or needles 40 enter the ATM cassette 10 through the holes or apertures 20, through the locator elements 42, and through the apertures 48 in the note guides 44, as is shown in Figure 5, from which position the spoiling agent can be dispensed directly onto the bank notes 46 through the injectors or needles 40.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the note guide 44. In this embodiment, the note guide 44 includes a base 50 and a upper web, or array of elongate bars 52. Bank notes 46 are positioned across the note guide 44, and the bars 52 of the note guide ensure that the notes are kept in alignment with one another while they are contained within the ATM cassette 10. The apertures 48 are formed only through the base 50 of the note guide 44. If the apertures 48 were formed completely through the note guide 44, that is to say through the base 50 and through the bars 52, there is a chance that the edges of the apertures would contain buns on which the bank notes 46 could be caught which, consequently, might result in a jam occurring within the ATM cassette, and in a failure of an ATM machine to deliver a bank note when required. Thus, by providing the bars 52 above the apertures 48, the chance of the bank notes 46 becoming stuck or out of alignment is reduced.

The edges of the apertures 48 arc able to engage the locator elements 44 when the ATM cassette 10 is positioned in the security container, in the manner described above.

Moreover, the needles 40 of the spoiling system 36 are able to pass through the apertures 48 and through gaps between the bars 52 when the spoiling system is actuated, thereby allowing access of the needles to the bank notes 46 when necessary.

In some embodiments, the ATM cassette 10 is provided with tamper-evident seals which cover the holes or apertures 20. The tamper-evident seals are preferably substantially opaque, such that the contents of the ATM cassette 10 are not visible during normal use and operation of the ATM cassette 10. The seals may be made of a self adhesive paper, vinyl or plastics material which is configured to tear, fray or otherwise deteriorate if an attempt is made to remove them, such that the seals provide a visible indication of any attempt to gain access to the contents of the ATM cassette 10 through the holes or apertures 20. The seals can be penetrated by the injectors or needles 40 of the spoiling system 36 of the security container 30, and thus do not impede the operation of the spoiling system in rendering the contents of the ATM cassette 10 unusable.

Referring again to Figure 1, six apertures 20 are formed in the lid 18 of the ATM cassette 10. The apertures 20 are arranged in two rows along the longer edge of the cassette 10, and the rows are offset from one another. That is to say, adjacent apertures of separate rows do not lie parallel to the shorter edge of the cassette 10. While many other arrangements of apertures can be envisaged, this arrangement has particular advantages.

Firstly, this arrangement of six apertures 20 is common in a range of security containers and ATM cassettes. Therefore, an ATM cassette 10 of a given size, having six apertures arranged in the manner shown in Figure 1 can be used with any security container 30 and!or spoiling system having needles positioned in the same arrangement. Secondly, by arranging the apertures 20 in an asymmetrical way with respect to the ATM cassette 10, the cassette can fit into a security container 30 in only one orientation. Thus, to enable the ATM cassette 10 to fit in the security container, and to enable the spoiling system to function correctly, with the needles 40 of the spoiling system aligning with the apertures of the ATM cassette, the cassette must be positioned in the security container 30 in the correct orientation. If the ATM cassette 10 is not located correctly in, and held securely in, the security container, then there is a chance that, in the event of an unauthorised attempt to gain access to the contents of the container, the spoiling system would not frmnction correctly, and some of the contents of the container 30 might not be spoiled.

Additionally or alternatively to an asymmetrical arrangement of the apertures 20, one or other means for ensuring correct orientation of the ATM cassette 10 may be used. For example, one or more of the apertures 20, and the one or more corresponding locator elements 42, may be arranged to be a different size or shape to the other apertures and locator elements, such that cach locator clement will only fit into its corresponding aperture if the ATM cassette 10 is positioned in a particular orientation. In another example, the ATM cassette 10 might include orienting means, such as a peg and hole structure, so the ATM cassette is only able to fit into the security container 30 if it is oriented in such a way that the peg engages and is received by the hole.

In an alternative embodiment, the locator receiving formations formed in the ATM cassette 10 may comprise zones or regions of relative weakness formed in the wall or walls of the cassette 10 in place of the apertures, for example by constructing those regions with thinner material relative to the rest of the wall or walls of the cassette. The walls in these regions are weak relative to the walls of the cassette 10. When a spoiling system 36 associated with such a cassette 10 is actuated, the needles break through the weak zones to reach the contents of the cassette. Thus, until the weak zones have been broken or penetrated, the contents of the cassette 10 are inaccessible, and are not visible from outside the cassette.

In some embodiments, the weak zone of the wall of the cassette 10 is formed in a recess of the wall such that a ridge is formed around the weak zone. Such a ridge is able to engage with a locator element 42 to form an interference fit attachment as described above.

The foregoing description and the embodiments illustrated in Figure 1, 4 and 5 relate to an ATM cassette, but it will be appreciated that the present invention is equally applicable to othcr types of cassette such as recycling cassettes or deposit cassettes which may be used 11w storing or transporting cash or other valuable media such as vouchers, cheques, tickets and the like. Thus, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to ATM cassettes.

Tn other embodiments, an alternative type of dispensing system may be used to dispense spoiling agent onto contents of the container. For example, the locator elements 42 may be configured to dispense spoiling agent, thus omitting the need 11w needles passing through the locator elements. Aftematively, the individual needles may be replaced with an arm or bar, having dispensing outlets aligned with the apertures 20 of the ATM cassette 10.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the invention broadly appearing before described.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A security system comprising: a security container; a cassette configured to be received in the security container, the cassette having at least one wall in which a locator receiving formation is formed; wherein the locator receiving formation is configured to receive a locator element associated with the security container for guiding the cassette into a desired position within the security container.
2. A security system according to claim 1, wherein the locator element is configured to retain the cassette in said desired position within the security container.
3. A security system according to claim 1 or claim 2, whercin thc locator clement is substantially frusto-conical.
4. A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator receiving formation is formed in a recess of the at least one wall of the cassette.
5. A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator element is configured to form an interference fit attachment with the at least one wall of the cassette.
6. A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator receiving formation comprises an aperture.
7. A security system according to claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the locator element is configured to engage an inner edge of the aperture.
8. A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locator receiving formation comprises a region of weakness relative to the wall of the cassette.
9. A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a spoiling system for spoiling contents of the security container when the spoiling system is actuated.
10. A security system according to claim 9, wherein the spoiling system comprises: a needle configured to move from a first position before the spoiling system is actuated to a second position after the spoiling system has been actuated.
11. A security system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a channel is formed through the locator element.
12. A security system according to claim 11 when dependent upon claim 9, wherein, in said second position, the needle is positioned through the channel in the locator element.
13. A security system according to claim 12, wherein the channel through the locator element is curved so as to urge the needle towards the contents of the security container.
14. A security system according to claim 10 when dependent upon claim 8, wherein, upon actuation of the spoiling system, the needle is configured to puncture the region of weakness.
15. An adaptor for adapting a security container to accommodate a cassette, the adaptor comprising a locator element configured to engage a corresponding locator receiving formation formed in the cassette, so as to guide the cassette into a desired position relative to the security container.
16. An adaptor according to claim 15, further comprising the features of any one of claims ito 14.
17. A security container for accommodating a cassette, the security container comprising a locator clement configured to engage a corresponding locator receiving formation formed in the cassette, so as to guide the cassette into a desired position relative to the security container.
18. A security container according to claim 17, further comprising the features of any one of claims ito 14.
19. A cassette for use in a security system according to any one of claims Ito 14.
20. A security system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.
21. An adaptor substantially as hcrcinbcforc described, with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.
22. A security container substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.
23. A cassette substantially as hcrcinbcforc described, with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.