GB2329327A - A security container - Google Patents

Abstract

A security container 10 comprises a flexible bag 12 made of fabric material which incorporates a conductive wire thread, a rigid lid 14 secured to the bag 12 and locking means 32 to lock the lid in a closed position to inhibit access to the bag. A control circuit 34 is connected to the conductive wire thread and is configured to sense and inhibit tampering with or theft of the security container. Preferably, the fabric material is a knitted material with the conductive wire thread knitted therein and has a synthetic plastic coating on opposite sides and an internal anti-cut lining. The lid 14 can be made of rigid plastic material and be supported by a frame 22 for hingedly securing the lid 14 to the bag 12. The control circuit 34 can have a timer, programming capacity, a memory, tracking means and have a signal receiver which can be operated by a portable transmitter. A backing member 18 can be secured to the lid 14 and can house batteries and such anti-theft devices as a dye canister 38 and actuator 39, a motion detector 42, an audible alarm and a smoke pack. The locking mechanism 32 can comprise of two locking bolts 44 that can be operated, via the control circuit 34, by a battery powered electric motor 46.

Description

A SECURITY CONTAINER THIS INVENTION relates to a security container.

Security containers are commonly used for transporting cash and other valuables.

These containers are known to comprise metal or synthetic plastic containers that are bulky, heavy and generally awkward to carry. These containers sometimes are associated with additional security and safety features, but for the above and other reasons, cannot be considered to be completely satisfactory in all respects.

As such, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved security container.

According to the invention there is provided a security container, which comprises a container part in the form of a flexible bag of a fabric material, the fabric material incorporating a conductive wire thread; a lid part of a substantially rigid material, hingedly secured to the container part to be displaceable for controlling access into the interior of the container part; locking means for locking the lid part in a closed position with respect to the container part in which closed position access to the interior of the container part is inhibited; and a control circuit connected to the conductive wire thread incorporated in the fabric material forming the container part, the control circuit being configured to permit tampering with the container part to be sensed and including inhibiting means for inhibiting tampering with and the theft of the security container.

The fabric material forming the container part may be a knitted material having the conductive wire thread knitted therein. Typically, the fabric material is cotton.

The fabric material may have a synthetic plastic coating applied thereto on opposite sides thereof, the plastic coating typically being applied by a dipping process, or the like. The synthetic plastic material may be PVC, or the like, and serves particularly to conceal and protect the conductive wire thread and to strengthen the container part of the security container. Still further, the container part may have an internal lining which lines the fabric material forming the container part, the internal lining having anti-cut properties.

The lid part of the security container may be a moulded unit formed of a synthetic plastic material. The lid part also may incorporate a handle.

The security container also may have a lid frame which is secured to the container part around the operative open end of the container part and which serves as a support for hingedly securing the lid part to the container part.

The locking means may comprise a locking mechanism mounted on the lid part on the operative internal side thereof, the locking mechanism having a locking bolt that can engage the lid frame for locking the lid part in its closed position. The locking mechanism may have a battery driven motor that is operable to displace the locking bolt, operation of the motor being electronically controlled by the operation of the control circuit which includes a signal receiver for receiving a signal from a portable transmitter and in response to which operation of the motor is activated. Communication between the signal receiver of the control circuit and the portable transmitter may be transponder driven. Also, the locking mechanism may provide for direct displacement of the locking bolt of the locking mechanism into its position in which the lid part is locked in its closed position in response to displacement of the lid part into its closed position.

The security container also may contain at least one battery located within a housing mounted on the lid part on the operative internal side thereof, the battery being operatively connected to the control circuit for permitting operation of the control circuit, as well as of the components and parts of which the operation is controlled by the control circuit.

The inhibiting means of the control circuit may include release means for releasing a dye under pressure from a canister located in the container into the interior of the container, for staining the contents thereof. The container part particularly is configured to enhance the effective staining of the contents of the container part by being internally pressurised and by inducing effective penetration of the contents upon the release of dye into the container part.

The inhibiting means of the control circuit also may include activating means for activating a smoke pack located within the container part. Still further, the inhibiting means of the control circuit may include activating means for activating an audible alarm located within the container part.

The inhibiting means of the control circuit may be located on the lid part on the operative internal side thereof in any suitable configuration. Also, the canister from which dye can be released under pressure and the smoke pack may be releasably located on the operative internal side of the lid part, to permit the replacement thereof.

Further according to the invention, the control circuit may be located on the operative internal side of the lid part and protector means may protect the control circuit against tampering therewith.

The control circuit still further may include motion sensing means and a timer for sensing motion of the security container and the time duration thereof, the control circuit permitting programming thereof to activate one or more of the inhibiting means in response to motion not pre-anticipated being sensed. For this purpose the control circuit may include a processing means incorporating a memory and a programming capacity which permits the controlled operation of the motion sensing means and the timer in response to particular predetermined parameters.

The memory of the processing means of the control circuit may permit the recordal of details of events surrounding the use of the security container, for record purposes.

The security container still further may include a plurality of light emitting diodes operatively connected to the control circuit and being selectively energisable in order to indicate the status of the control circuit and, thereby, of the security container, at any particular time.

Still further according to the invention, the control circuit may include communicating means for communicating with external monitors whereby the status and movement of the security container can be monitored. The control circuit also may include tracking means for permitting tracking of the security container.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control circuit and its associated inhibiting means and other components and parts associated with the control circuit are mounted on a backing member which is secured to the lid part on the operative internal side thereof.

Further features of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to an example of the invention, illustrated by way of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional external view of a security container, in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the security container of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a security container, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The security container 10 includes a container part 1 2 in the form of a flexible bag of a fabric material and a lid part 14 hingedly mounted on the container part 12 in the configuration as described hereafter, for displacement between an open position, in which access into the container part 12 is permitted, and a closed position, in which the operative open end of the container part 1 2 is effectively closed-off.

The fabric material forming the container part 12 is a knitted material, particularly formed of cotton, and has a conductive wire thread knitted therein. The outer faces of the knitted material is covered by a synthetic plastic layer of material, typically a PVC layer, applied to the fabric material by a dipping process.

Optionally, an anti-cut internal lining (not shown) may be applied on the operative internal side of the material forming the container part 1 2.

The lid part 1 4 of the security container 10 comprises a moulded lid of a synthetic plastic material, the lid 1 4 having a fold-away handle 1 6 located thereon as part thereof. The lid part further has a backing member 1 8 secured thereto on the operative internal side thereof, the backing member 1 8 serving as a support for various components and parts of the security container as are described in more detail hereinafter. The backing member 1 8 effectively forms a part of the lid part 14, being secured thereto by suitable securing bolts, or the like (not shown).

The container part 1 2 defines a closure flap 20 that will be disposed operatively beneath the lid part 14 when in its closed position. Also, a lid frame 22 is secured to the walls of the container part 1 2 around the perimeter of the open end of the container part, the lid frame including an internal U-shaped frame part 24 and an external U-shaped frame part 26 that are secured internally and externally, respectively, with respect to the walls (as shown), particularly with the aid of suitable securing rivets, or the like (not shown).

The backing member 1 8 has hinge sleeves 28 projecting therefrom as shown, the external U-shaped frame part 26 having hinge pins 30 that can pass through holes 31 in the bag and frame part 24 and be located in the sleeves 28 to provide for the hinged location of the lid part 1 4. Particularly, the backing member 1 8 is secured to the lid part 14 with the side walls of the lid part 14 and the backing member being spaced from one another, the side walls of the lid part 14 in its closed position thus fitting over the frame member 26, whereas the side walls of the backing member will fit within the frame member 24. A tamper-proof configuration for the lid part is thereby provided, insofar as access to the hinge arrangement thereof is not permitted.

The backing member 1 8 further serves as a carrier for a locking mechanism 32, a control circuit 34, a battery housing (not shown), a dye canister 38 and actuator 39, a motion and alarm detector 42, and optionally a smoke pack (not shown).

These are mounted in position, partially with the aid of a mounting formation 40 which is secured within the backing member 1 8 and which serves also to secure the lid part 14 to the backing member 18. It will be appreciated that the overall configuration of the lid part 14 and its backing member 18 and particularly also the configuration of the components and parts located between them are greatly variable and, as such, this is not described in further detail herein.

The locking mechanism 32 comprises two locking bolts 44 that are displaceable in axially opposite directions by an electric motor 46 which can be powered by batteries located within the battery housing referred to above via the control circuit 34. More particularly, the control circuit provides for automatic operation of the locking mechanism into a locking position upon closure of the lid part of the security container, whereas release of the locking mechanism will require receipt of a signal from a suitable signal transmitter. As such, the control circuit will include a signal receiver that can communicate with a portable signal transmitter in a transponder driven mode, receipt of a predetermined coded signal thus being required to permit opening of the security container 10 when required. As is illustrated clearly, the locking bolts 44 are displaceable through apertures 48 defined in side walls of the backing member 18 and then through registering apertures 50 defined in the frame members 24 and 26. The complete locking mechanism thus comprises a hidden mechanism which permits access only when the lid part of the security container is disposed in its open position.

The control circuit 34 is located within and protected by an external housing (not shown for the sake of clarity) and is operatively connected to the conductive wire thread incorporated within the fabric material forming the container part 1 2 in a configuration in which tampering with the container part can be sensed.

The control circuit provides also for the actuation of the actuator associated with the dye canister 38, in order to provide for the release of dye under pressure into the container part 1 2 when tampering with the security container is sensed, the control circuit providing simultaneously for the activation of the smoke pack if provided as part of the security container.

As illustrated, the dye canister 38 is located within an recess formation 52 defined within the backing member 1 8 and is covered by a cover member 53, the wall of the recess formation 52 being suitably weakened so that upon release of dye from the canister 38 the dye will enter the container part 12, causing internal pressurization of the container part 1 2 with the shape of the container part 1 2 also being configured such that effective penetration of the contents of the container part with dye is ensured. Clearly, this contents of the container part generally will be in the form of cash or other valuables.

An audible alarm associated with the control circuit also can be activated in response to tampering with the security container having been sensed, thereby to ensure that attention is attracted to such tampering.

Still further, the motion sensor 42 can sense displacement of the security container at all times and typically is associated with a timer which is programmed to sense the time period over which motion of the security container is detected, serving particularly to sense motion that is not pre-anticipated and that should thus be associated with a theft or danger situation. Sensing such a situation will again provide for the release of dye and/or smoke and the activation of the associated means that must serve to inhibit the tampering with and/or theft of the security container 10.

The control circuit also may be associated with a suitable memory as well as programming means, in order to permit programming of the operation of the security container in order to satisfy individual needs, the memory simultaneously serving to record events associated with the use of the container for recordal purposes.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of the control circuit, as well as of the associated inhibiting means as described can be greatly variable, while still providing for tampering with the security container and/or the theft thereof to be inhibited.

The security container is considered particularly suitable for the transport of cash and other valuables, insofar as it is a light weight container that is relatively easy to carry. Together with its applied safety features, the security container can serve effectively to inhibit the theft of such a container with its contents, particularly insofar as the contents of a container will be rendered without value through the staining thereof as envisaged.

It will be understood that the security container can be provided in various sizes for different purposes and also with various different combinations of safety features, it being envisaged particularly also that the container can be associated with a tracking system, typically in cooperation with a GPS satellite network. The security container also can be programmed to comply with individual requirements and individual usages, thus ensuring that tampering is sensed and the safety features associated with the container are immediately activated.

Claims (26)

1. A security container, which comprises a container part in the form of a flexible bag of a fabric material, the fabric material incorporating a conductive wire thread; a lid part of a substantially rigid material, hingedly secured to the container part to be displaceable for controlling access into the interior of the container part; locking means for locking the lid part in a closed position with respect to the container part, in which closed position access to the interior of the container part is inhibited; and a control circuit connected to the conductive wire thread incorporated in the fabric material forming the container part, the control circuit being configured to permit tampering with the container part to be sensed and including inhibiting means for inhibiting tampering with and the theft of the security container.

2. A security container as claimed in Claim 1, in which the fabric material forming the container part is a knitted material having the conductive wire thread knitted therein.

3. A security container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the fabric material has a synthetic plastic coating applied thereto on opposite sides thereof.

4. A security container as claimed in Claim 3, in which the container part has an internal lining which lines the fabric material forming the container part, the internal lining having anti-cut properties.

5. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the lid part of the security container is a moulded unit formed of a synthetic plastic material.

6. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a lid frame which is secured to the container part around the operative open end of the container part and which serves as a support for hingedly securing the lid part to the container part.

7. A security container as claimed in Claim 6, in which the locking means comprises a locking mechanism mounted on the lid part on the operative internal side thereof, the locking mechanism having a locking bolt that can engage the lid frame for locking the lid part in its closed position.

8. A security container as claimed in Claim 7, in which the locking mechanism has a battery driven motor that is operable to displace the locking bolt, operation of the motor being electronically controlled by the operation of the control circuit which includes a signal receiver for receiving a signal from a portable transmitter and in response to which operation of the motor is activated.

9. A security container as claimed in Claim 8, in which communication between the signal receiver of the control circuit and the portable transmitter is transponder driven.

10. A security container as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, in which the locking mechanism provides for direct displacement of the locking bolt of the locking mechanism into its position in which the lid part is locked in its closed position in response to displacement of the lid part into its closed position.

11. A security container as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, which includes at least one battery located within a housing mounted on the lid part on the operative internal side thereof, the battery being operatively connected to the control circuit for permitting operation of the control circuit, as well as of the components and parts of which the operation is controlled by the control circuit.

12. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inhibiting means of the control circuit includes release means for releasing a dye under pressure from a canister located in the container into the interior of the container, for staining the contents of the container.

1 3. A security container as claimed in Claim 12, in which the container part is configured to enhance the effective staining of the contents of the container part by being internally pressurised and by inducing effective penetration of the contents upon the release of dye into the container part.

14. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inhibiting means of the control circuit includes activating means for activating a smoke pack located within the container part.

1 5. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inhibiting means of the control circuit includes activating means for activating an audible alarm located within the container part.

1 6. A control circuit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the inhibiting means of the control circuit is located on the lid part on the operative internal side thereof.

17. A security container as claimed in Claim 16, insofar as claim 16 is dependent on Claim 1 2 and Claim 14, in which the canister from which dye can be released under pressure and the smoke pack are releasably located on the operative internal side of the lid part, to permit the replacement thereof.

1 8. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the control circuit is located on the operative internal side of the lid part and in which protector means protects the control circuit against tampering therewith.

1 9. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the control circuit includes motion sensing means and a timer for sensing motion of the security container and the time duration thereof, the control circuit permitting programming thereof to activate one or more of the inhibiting means in response to motion not pre-anticipated being sensed.

20. A security container as claimed in Claim 19, in which the control circuit includes a processing means incorporating a memory and a programming capacity which permits the controlled operation of the motion sensing means and the timer in response to particular predetermined parameters.

21. A security container as claimed in Claim 20, in which the memory of the processing means of the control circuit permits the recordal of details of events surrounding the use of the security container, for record purposes.

22. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a plurality of light emitting diodes operatively connected to the control circuit and being selectively energisable in order to indicate the status of the control circuit and, thereby, of the security container, at any particular time.

23. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the control circuit includes communicating means for communicating with external monitors whereby the status and movement of the security container can be monitored.

24. A security container as claimed in Claim 23, in which the control circuit includes tracking means for permitting tracking of the security container.

25. A security container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the control circuit and its associated inhibiting means and other components and parts associated with the control circuit are mounted on a backing member which is secured to the lid part on the operative internal side thereof.

26. A security container substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.