FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the protection of bank notes and more particularly, but not exclusively, to the protection of bank notes in an automatic teller machine (ATM).

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

ATMs are used to dispense bank notes to the public. Containers (also referred to as cassettes) filled with bank notes are loaded into the machines which can be accessed by means of authenticated cards, strokes or inputs on a keyboard or the like, to allow money to be drawn from designated accounts.

Unfortunately, although ATMs are fortified and protected, they are vulnerable to explosive attack. A variety of substances are used in an explosive attack. Chemical compositions such as dynamite or more modern explosives e.g. of the kind used in rock breaking or mining are employed with great effect. Access to these types of explosives is however often tightly controlled and, as an alternative, gaseous compositions are increasingly being used. For example, acetylene from a gas bottle is introduced to an ATM. The gas mixes with oxygen in the atmosphere and, at a critical gas concentration, the mixture can be ignited to release a substantial explosive force. These explosives are used, literally, to blast an ATM apart and, when this occurs, bank notes in the containers can be accessed or the bank notes are released when the containers are destroyed by an explosive force.

It is not feasible to prevent an explosive attack as the initiative to use an explosive lies with the perpetrator. An attempt has been made to negate the success of this type of attack though by including, between the bank notes, at regular intervals, sachets formed from a soft plastic material. Each sachet is sealed and contains a bank note ink. An objective in this aspect is that at least one sachet will be broken by an explosive shock wave and the ink will be released at least onto notes which are adjacent the sachet. The lifetime of this type of sachet is, however, limited for the sealing process, to enclose the ink in a sachet, is not warranted for an extended period. Also, each sachet must be handled while the bank notes are being packed, a step which intrudes on a conventional bank note packing procedure.

Another method to counter an attack includes the use of a fully automated electronic system which monitors the ATM and an associated bank note holder. Ink is released upon sensing unwarranted intrusion of the ATM or bank note holder. Although this system is effective in countering physical attacks or break-ins of the ATM machine, the efficacy is reduced in an explosive attack and often the system is destroyed before dye can be released onto the bank notes or warning signals can be sent. This system is also expensive to install and maintain. Yet another system involves a so-called passive system in which bottles containing ink rupture as a result of an explosive attack thus dispense ink over bank notes. These bottles are usually fixed inside a lid of a bank note container or bank note cassette.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a bank note protection device and method of the type described above and/or a bank note protection system and method which, at least partially, alleviates some of the above-mentioned difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a bank note protection device comprising a first container which is made from a material which breaks under the effect of the shockwave from a source outside of the container, in excess of a predetermined magnitude, a liquid dye inside the container which, upon rupturing of the container, is automatically released and dispersed randomly, due to action of the shockwave and gravity action, a second container having a number of spray openings. There is provided for the liquid dye, when dispersed, to come into contact with bank notes nearby thereby to dye the bank notes at least partially.

There is provided for a flow path to extend between the first and second containers.

A first seal may be provided between the first and second containers in or at the flow path. In addition, or alternatively, a second seal or seals may cover the spray openings.

A further feature of the invention provides for the flow path to be defined by a tube extending between the first and second containers so that they are in flow communication when the seal is broken or removed.

A yet further feature of the invention provides for an explosive device to be located at least partially inside the first or the second container.

A pressure source may be connected in flow communication with the first and/or second container.

A reservoir, in flow communication between the pressure source and the second container, may be filled with the liquid dye so that the pressure source could force the liquid dye into the second container. A further feature of the invention provides for the second container to be filled with the liquid dye.

Further features of the invention provide for the spray openings to be spaced apart on one side of the second container; for the second container to be a tube extending alongside the first container; for the first container to be a substantially flat rectangular and elongate bottle; for the first container to have a connector spout, alternatively, for the first container to have two connector spouts; for the second container to have a connector spout; and for the connector spouts to be screw threaded.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an operatively underside view of a bank note protection device in accordance with a first embodiment the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of two bank note protection devices of figure 1 mounted in a lid of a cassette for holding bank notes; Figure 3 shows a top view of the bank note protection device of figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows an underside view of the bank note protection device of figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 shows a first side view of the bank note protection device figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 shows a second side view of the bank note protection advice of figures

1 to 5;

Figure 7 shows a first end view of the bank note protection device of figures 1 to 6;

Figure 8 shows a second end view of the bank note protection device of figures 1 to 7; and

Figure 9 shows an operatively underside view of a bank note protection device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below, with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like features.

With reference to the drawings, a bank note protection device is generally indicated by reference numeral 1 . The protection device 1 includes a first container 9 in the form of a substantially flat rectangular and elongated bottle. This bottle 9 is made from a material which breaks under the effect of a shockwave from a source outside the bottle, in excess of a predetermined magnitude. There is a substance inside the container 9 which, upon rupturing of the container 9, is automatically released and dispersed randomly, due to action of the shockwave and gravity action over bank notes. The substance may be an ink, or a dye as is known in the art.

A second container, in the form of a tube 5 extends along a side of the bottle 9. The tube 5 has a plurality of spray holes 6 spaced apart and along an operatively underside thereof.

The tube 5 and bottle 9 are integrally moulded. The tube 5 and the bottle 9 are injection moulded or moulded in any other convenient method. The same is true for the pressure source 13.

At its one end, the tube 5 terminates in a screw threaded spout 12b. Screw threaded spouts 10 and 12a are located at opposite ends of the bottle 9. Screw threaded spout 14 is located at one end of the bottle 9, adjacent to spout 10.

A nut 1 1 is screwed onto the screw threaded spout 10 of the bottle 9. The nut 1 1 receives detonator cables therethrough which connect to an explosive device or detonator 17 inside the bottle 9. In an alternative embodiment, no explosive device or detonator is located within the bottle 9 and the screw threaded spout may be used as a filler opening in which case the nut will be a blind nut to close off the screw threaded spout 10 once the bottle 9 has been filled with the ink or dye.

A pressure source 13, for example, a gas bottle, is connected to spout 14 with a pipe. One end of the pipe connects to the gas bottle 13 and an opposing end of the pipe screws onto the spout 14. In an alternative embodiment, no pressure source is connected to the spout 14 and a blind nut is used to close off the screw threaded spout 14. The pressure source 13 is activated in case of an active or passive attack, as is described below to force ink out through the spray holes 6 in the tube 5.

On the other side of the bottle 9, a U-shaped connector pipe 8 is connected between the screw threaded spout 12a of the bottle 9 and the screw threaded spout 12b of the tube 5. Securing nuts 7 are used to secure the U-shaped pipe 8 sealingly to the spouts 12a and 12b. This forms a flow path between the two containers.

With reference to figure 2, two bank note protection devices 1 are secured inside a lid 2 of a bank note cassette or container 3. The cassette 3 is loaded with bank notes 4.

A seal such as a diaphragm seal may be provided in the connector pipe 8 or in the spouts or near the spouts (12a and 12b) to seal the ink inside the bottle 9 thus leaving the tube 5 empty. A detonator 17 may cause the seal to rupture. Alternatively, pressure from the pressure source 13 may cause the seal to rupture. Further alternatively, in another embodiment, the seal may be omitted and each hole 6 may be sealed with separate seals or a seal strip located over the holes. In this case the tube will also be filled with ink.

In use, the bottles are secured inside the lid 2 as shown in figure 2. The lid 2 is closed, and the cassette is sealed and placed inside an ATM. A seal is provided in the flow path that is defined from the screw threaded spout 12a through the connector pipe 8 to the screw threaded spout 12b. The detonator device 17 is also located inside the bottle 9. In case of a so-called passive attack, when entry into an ATM is attempted other than through an explosive attack (for example using angle grinders or the like), the detonator device 17 may be set off thus rupturing the bottle 9 as well as the seal in the flow path between the bottle 9 and the tube 5. The ink inside the bottle 9 escapes through the rupture/s in the bottle 9 as well as through the broken seal and through the holes 6 of the tube 5.

The ink dispersed randomly, due to action of the shockwave and/or gravity action to come into contact with bank notes 4 inside the cassette to at dye the bank notes 4.

In an alternative configuration, where a seal is not provided in the flow path between the two containers, and in case of an attack the detonator 17 will be set off forcing the ink through any rupture in the bottle 9 as well as through the seals of the holes 6 so that the ink is dispersed onto the bank notes through any rupture in the bottle 9 as well as through the holes 6 of the tube 5. In yet an alternative configuration, where a blind nut 11 seals off the bottle 9 and a detonator device is not included inside the bottle 9, and in case of an active attack i.e. under the force of a shockwave from a source outside of the containers, the bottle 9 will rupture and disperse ink over the bank notes 4 and any seals that seal all the flow paths and/or that seals off the holes 6 in the tube 5 may also be broken thus also aiding in dispersing ink over the bank notes.

Finally, in the embodiment shown in figure 6, the screw threaded spout 10 may either be closed off with a blind nut or may receive a nut through which detonator cables protrude. It will be appreciated that the detonators and associated nut may equally be installed through spout 12a. Either way, from whichever end the detonator nut is installed, the other side (i.e. 10 or 12a) will receive a blind nut to seal off the bottle 9.

The spout 12b of the tube 5 will be connected to a pressure source 13. The pressure source may include a reservoir of ink. Alternatively, it may or may not include a reservoir together with ink located inside the spray tube 5. When ink is included inside the spray tube 5 the holes 6 will be sealed off to prevent ink from escaping therethrough under armed/ready conditions. The pressure source 13 may be activated in case of a passive attack thus forcing ink from the reservoir and/or from the tube 5 out through the holes 6. As explained above, the holes 6 may or may not be sealed depending on whether ink is located in the tube 5 or only in a reservoir remote from the tube 5 from where the ink is forced through the spout 12b into the tube 5. At the same time, a detonator device 17 inside the bottle 9 will also be triggered to rupture the bottle 9. In the case of a passive attack i.e. an explosion outside the containers which causes shockwave in excess of a predetermined magnitude, the bottle 9 will rupture without the use of a detonator located therein. The ink will be dispersed through any ruptures in the bottle 9 onto the bank notes 4 below.

The invention described herein provides many possible permutations for the staining of bank notes in case of an active and/or passive attack on an ATM. In particular, it provides options in the case of an active attack were a detonator in the bottle 9 is used to disperse ink together with a pressure means and a reservoir and/or ink in the tube to disperse ink through the tube. Alternatively, the detonator inside the bottle can be omitted so that the bottle ruptures and disperses ink only in case of a passive attack. Even with a detonator inside the bottle, a passive attack may cause rupturing of the bottle without detonation of the detonator. In this case, depending on the seals used, ink may also be dispersed when the U-shaped connector pipe connects the tube and bottle. Finally, the two containers can be used separately from each other to independently disperse ink in case of active attacks or for the bottle 9 to independently disperse ink in case of a passive attack. The tube 5 provides a controlled area of dispersion which means that less ink can be used.

The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the bank protection device can locate inside the lid of the bank note cassette, in which case the pressure source, for example, a gas bottle, may locate inside the lid of the cassette. The pressure source (gas bottle) may be moulded into the lid. A reservoir, in flow communication between the pressure source and the tube, may be filled with ink so that the pressure source could force ink into the tube.