This invention relates to the protection of valuables and more particularly, but not exclusively, to valuables such as banknotes in a cassette of an automatic teller machine (hereinafter "ATM").

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the word "ATM" includes an automatic teller machine, a conventional safe, a protected enclosure, a safe, a cashbox, a strongroom, a cubicle or any equivalent device used for the safeguarding of valuables.

Money dispensing machines such as ATMs are subject to attack by the use of increasingly aggressive means. For example the use of cutting torches, angle grinders and the like is fairly standard. Explosives have also been used to blast a path open into an interior of an ATM.

Protective measures adopted for an ATM must still allow for access to the ATM in a user-friendly manner so that persons can legitimately use the facilities of the ATM. Armouring systems and high-level protection arrangements can interfere with this access. One approach to the problem has been to position a container, filled with dye, inside a cassette which contains bank notes. The cassette is located inside an ATM and in use can interact with the ATM, in a conventional manner, to obtain cash in the form of bank notes which are dispensed from the cassette. When an attack on an ATM takes place the container is caused to break. This can be due to a Shockwave which is generated by an explosive attack on the ATM i.e. a so- called "passive system" or, alternatively, a sensing arrangement detects an attack and then initiates some mechanism which causes the container to break i.e. a so- called "active system". In the latter case it is known to inject pressurised gas into the container to cause it to burst and thereby release its contents, ie. the dye. A small explosive charge inside the container could also be ignited. Pressure inside the container builds up rapidly and this causes the container to break. It is important that, when the container breaks, the dye in the container should be dispersed so that effectively each banknote is marked with the dye over a substantial part of the surface area of the banknote.

It has been found when a container is broken by raising its internal pressure that the container is often only fractured in one or more localized regions at which the dye is discharged. Consequently an even distribution of the dye does not necessarily take place and some of the banknotes may not be stained with the dye or may not be sufficiently stained with the dye. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to address the aforementioned situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a protective mechanism for use in an ATM which includes a holder in which a plurality of banknotes are stacked, one against the other, each banknote lying generally in a vertical plane, and a cover which is engageable with the holder and which includes a lower surface which is spaced from and which opposes upper edges of the stacked banknotes, the protective mechanism including a container, a banknote traceability substance inside the container and an explosive device, inside the container, which, in response to a detected signal indicating an attack on the ATM, is ignited and which then causes the container to fracture at a plurality of spaced apart locations or along an elongate path.

In one form of the invention the explosive device includes two or more explosive charges which are positioned spaced apart from each other inside the container and which are, in use, simultaneously initiated. In another form of the invention the explosive device includes an elongate sleeve or can which may be in the nature of a tube and which contains a charge assembly distributed over at least a substantial part of its length. In each instance an objective with the explosive device is to ensure that, upon initiation (ignition) thereof, a high pressure is established inside the container at a plurality of spaced-apart locations or along one or more elongate paths so that when the container bursts it fractures essentially over its length or at a plurality of closely spaced locations and not only at a single position.

The explosive device may extend inside the container from a filling spout.

The explosive device may be engaged with and be secured to the cover and may be positioned between the lower surface of the cover and upper edges of the banknotes.

The container is preferably formed, during a plastics moulding process, with one or more rupture lines along which the container is induced to fracture when it is pressurised internally to a suitable level.

In plan the container may be substantially rectangular with a filling spout close to a corner of the rectangle. Viewed from one side the container may be rectangular but elongate i.e. with a width which is substantially less than the width of the container in plan. The filling spout for the container may be adjacent a small dimensioned side of the container. The explosive device is preferably positioned extending from the filling spout into the container adjacent the small size side. As noted the explosive device may include an elongate sleeve which contains an explosive charge. Preferably the sleeve has a blind end and a filling end and, at the filling end the sleeve is dimensioned and shaped to engage with an internal wall of the filling spout of the container. In practice the container is filled with an indelible dye and thereafter the sleeve is inserted into the container and is thereby immersed in, and exposed to, the dye. The mouth of the sleeve is preferably engaged in a sealing manner with an opposing inner surface of a wall of the spout of the container. Subsequently an explosive charge of any suitable form is loaded into the sleeve. A cap is engaged, threadedly or otherwise, with the filling spout. The cap includes a sealed pathway for electrical leads which lead to the explosive charge.

The rupture line or lines may be formed by creating a stress point in a wall of the container. Preferably the stress point is adjacent the explosive charge. The stress point may be in the nature of a line which extends substantially for the length of the container and which is adjacent a small size side of the container preferably at a junction of the small size side and a large size side of the container. According to requirement additional rupture lines may be defined at one or more locations on a large size side of the container. The function of each rupture line is such as to concentrate stresses on the line which cause the material from which the container is moulded to fracture and create a tear which is propagated along the line due to the increase in pressure inside the container.

The explosive charge, also referred to as a pyrotechnic charge, is fitted into the sleeve after the container has been filled with the dye. Provided this manufacturing process takes place at a single site the pyrotechnic charge will normally not be classified as a Class 1 product in respect of the relevant regulations relating to the storage, transport and use of dangerous goods. Thus, despite the inclusion of the explosive charge, provided appropriate care is taken to comply with manufacturing procedures, regulations which might otherwise have been applicable relating to the storage and transport of the container are not relevant. This feature substantially enhances the commercial value of the protective mechanism of the invention.

The container may be of any appropriate type and preferably is of the kind described in the specification of South African patent No.2013/08221 , the content of which is hereby incorporated into this specification. Thus the container may be of a so-called "passive" type, ie. the container is designed to fracture under the effect of a Shockwave which is generated by an external attack on a structure (an ATM) in which the holder is positioned. The banknote traceability substance may be of any appropriate kind and preferably is liquid and is in the nature of an indelible dye. As the container is positioned between the banknotes and the cover and is above the banknotes a highly effective dispersal of the banknote traceability substance over the length of the container results. The cover helps to prevent the banknote traceability substance from moving upwardly away from the banknotes. In one form of the invention two of the containers are positioned, parallel to one another and, possibly, spaced apart from each other, engaged with the lower surface of the cover and overlying the banknotes.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a cassette which includes two ink-filled containers and a monitoring/triggering system, in accordance with the principles of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates in plan one of the containers shown in Figure 1 , in which is housed a protective mechanism according to the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a portion of a container in cross section and depicts a rupture line;

Figure 4 is similar to Figure 1 but illustrates the container in cross- section;

Figure 5 shows, in cross section, a rupture charge which is mounted inside a container; Figure 6 shows the container of Figure 2 in cross-section and from one side;

Figure 7 schematically illustrates how the container is installed in a holder which contains banknotes; and

Figure 8 is similar to Figure 6 but illustrating a variation of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates an inner surface 10 of a cassette lid 12 which, in use, is positioned over and engaged with a holder 16 which, in use, is stacked with a plurality of bank notes 20 - see Figure 7.

Positioned inside the lid and secured to the inner surface 10, are two containers which are substantially identical. The containers 22 are positioned side by side and parallel to each other, slightly spaced apart and abutting the surface 10. Located between the containers is a monitoring and triggering system 26.

Each container 22 is generally of the type described in the specification of South African patent No. 2013/08221 the content of which is hereby incorporated into this specification. Although this is a preferred form of construction for the container 22 it, nonetheless, is exemplary and is non-limiting.

The container 22 thus has a body 26 which is of the so-called "passive type" i.e. it fractures under the effect of a Shockwave in excess of a predetermined magnitude produced when an explosive attack is launched on a structure (an ATM) inside of which the holder 16 is positioned.

Referring to Figure 2 and, in addition, to Figure 3 which illustrates a part of the container 22 in cross section, the container 22, in plan, is generally rectangular and has a fairly large width 28 while, viewed from one side - see Figure 6 - the container is also rectangular but has a height 30 which is the width of a side wall 32. The height 30 is substantially less than the width 26 of the broad side 28. The body 26 has various formations 36 which are designed to facilitate mounting of the container inside the cover 12 and a number of surface formations 38 which are provided to ensure that the container fractures as desired under the effect of a Shockwave produced by an explosive attack on an ATM in which the container is located i.e. to ensure that the container functions as a passive device. Additionally the body 26 has formations 40, see Figure 3 in particular, which are referred to as rupture lines. Each rupture line 40 is defined by creating, during the moulding of the body 26, a sharp corner 42 which is such that stresses in the material of the body are concentrated on the rupture line when the body is internally pressurized. Provided the pressurization level is sufficiently high the rupture line, which essentially is a point of weakness designed for the purpose, fractures and the fracture is then be propagated with a tearing action along the line due to the internal pressurization level.

Figure 3 illustrates an upper rupture line 40 and a lower rupture line 42 on one side of the body 26 i.e. essentially at a junction of the small side wall 32 and the large size sides 28. According to requirement additional fracture lines can be provided as necessary on the opposing small size side or even on the large size side 28. The body 26 has a filling spout 54 and a cap 56 is engaged with the spout. The body is filled with a banknote traceability substance such as a liquid indelible dye 60. An elongate sleeve 64 is placed into an interior 56 of the body after the body has been filled with liquid dye 60 - Figure 4. The sleeve 64 has a neck 68 which is shaped and sized to fit closely inside the spout 54 and, in this way, the sleeve 64 is held inside the body 26 generally parallel to elongate opposed walls 32 and 32A of the body 26 and abutting or otherwise close to an inner surface 76 of the wall 32.

After the sleeve 64 has been inserted into the dye-filled interior 56 of the body 26 a charge assembly 80 of a propellant, a highly energetic substance or a similar deflagrating composition is placed into the sleeve. Figure 5 illustrates in cross section the sleeve with the charge assembly 80.

The charge assembly 80 includes a pyrotechnic charge 82, stemming 84 in the form of fine-grained silica and a glue plug 86. A seal 88 is located between the charge 82 and the stemming 84. An initiating element 90 is mounted to the seal and extends into the charge 82. The initiator 90 is connected via leads 94 which pass through the stemming and the plug to two conductors 96 which project from the neck 68 which defines a shaped mouth 98 of the sleeve. The pyrotechnic charge 82 is confined within the sleeve by means of the stemming 84 which also acts as an absorbent of moisture that possibly could adversely affect the performance of the pyrotechnic charge 82. The stemming 84 in turn is held in position by means of the glue plug 86.

The conductors 96 are threaded through a hermetic seal 106 which provides a gas-tight interface between the conductors and a cap 108 which is threadedly engaged with the filling spout after the assembly process has been completed. The rupture charge arrangement shown in Figure 5, when inserted into the container, extends along a major part of the length of the container.

Figure 7 schematically depicts the mounting and triggering system 26, which is electronically based. The system 26 is responsive to a range of different types of attack on the structure which houses the holder 16 into which the banknotes 20 are placed. Thus the system includes a sensor 130 which is responsive to noise, a sensor 132 which is responsive to vibration, a sensor 134 which is responsive to an elevated temperature, and the like. These parameters are given by way of example and are non-limiting. In each instance the parameter is associated with a particular type of attack on the ATM housing or structure, e.g. an attack based on the use of an angle grinder, an attack based on the use of an oxyacetylene cutting torch or the like. The system 26 also includes an energy source 140 in the form of a battery, and a logic unit 142.

When an attack is detected by a sensor or sensors a signal is transmitted to the logic unit 142 which causes the battery 140 to be connected via the conductors 96 to the initiator 90. The pyrotechnic charge assembly 82 is then ignited and an explosive force is generated along a length of the container 22.

The charge 82 is designed to deflagrate at a very high temperature, of the order of 4000° Kelvin, and not to detonate. The deflagration process almost instantly causes the charge 82 to decompose and produce a secondary gas-generating mixture that builds up pressure through confinement. The sleeve 64 is fractured by the gas which releases kinetic energy into the dye-filled container 22. A rapid pressure rise inside the container causes the container 22 to fracture.

It is to be borne in mind that the liquid dye is essentially incompressible and that the pressurization effect produced inside the sleeve is effectively transferred to the interior of the container which is completely filled with the dye i.e. there is no volume inside the container which does not contain the liquid dye.

The body 26 is thereby ruptured effectively along all or a major part of the length of the wall 32 and the indelible dye 40 is automatically released, moving under a force generated by the shock of the exploding charge assembly and by gravity action, onto the upper edges of the banknotes 20 inside the holder 16.

It has been found through experimentation that the liquid dye effectively drenches the upper edges of all of the banknotes and, in each instance, a substantial part of the surface area of each banknote is stained with the dye. This is due to the distributing action of the charge assembly which is not localized in its action but which exerts a force on the body 26 over an elongate path. This means that the body 26 opens essentially immediately along this path and, as a consequence, the dye is dispersed over an elongate path and not, as is the case with certain prior art devices, from a local region of the container only. This effect is considerably enhanced by the actions of the rupture lines.

The use of the elongate sleeve 64 is preferred. It is possible for the sleeve to extend along the full interior of the body 26 although generally it has been found that an adequate dispersal of dye results if the sleeve has a length which is at least half the length of the body.

A similar effect to the aforegoing can be achieved in the manner shown in Figure 8 which depicts four spaced discrete charges 190, 192, 194 and 196 which are mounted to an appropriate carrier 198 and which are interconnected by means of leads 200 which extend to conductors 202 which are similar to the conductors 96. When an ATM attack is detected the charges 190 to 196 are simultaneously initiated and in a manner similar to that which has been described the body 26 of the (container) is burst open at a plurality of locations along its length, an action which is enhanced by the inclusion of rupture lines in the body. The manner in which this occurs is such as to ensure that the body effectively splits along its length and the dye inside the container is thus forced into staining contact with the stacked banknotes 20 below the container.

In this specification the explosive substance or charge may be ignited or detonated and the indelible fluid container ruptures without breaking the lid of the cartridge and preferably also not without breaking the seals the charge to the container. The system may be used with an active system or with the passive system. In other words, in case of an explosive attack even if a signal to ignite or detonated the charge fails, the indelible fluid container or rupture as a result of the Shockwave created by explosive attack.