Abstract:
A container in the form of two solid ended, hollow, cylinders with a threaded or push fitted seal to form a water resistant capsule with a hole at one end to enable a split ring or quick release clip to be added. The container is able to hold a folded note wrapped around a specifically designed clip within its body, thus reducing the required size of the container to a minimum yet allowing the banknote to be retrievable when required.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly a container for containing a banknote. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    Cash, banknotes and coinage remain the primary form of currency of the world. The primary feature of cash, wherein its ownership is easily transferrable, means that cash can also easily be stolen or lost, and there is little to no hope of retrieval or compensation. In fact, to emphasise this point cash, and in particular banknotes, are often of extreme importance in an emergency, particularly where an individual is dispossessed of means of identification and debit and credit cards. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Banknotes are typically carried in wallets, purses or billfolds. These all have a large size relative and disproportionate to the volumetric size of the banknotes. This is because the width and length of banknotes is disproportionate to the depth of paper based currency meaning unless folded any carrier will be of an equivalent width and length. One reason is to assist partially sighted people to distinguish between different denominations of banknote. 
         [0004]    In recognition of the importance of keeping at least a portion of an individual&#39;s cash secure, there have often been many means of separate and/or portable secure devices for storing cash. These have focussed on banknotes in particular due to their smaller storage size and greater value. 
         [0005]    These devices for storing cash have ranged from a cardboard box ‘placed under the bed’ to a money belt. Money belts were the fashion in the latter section of the twentieth century mainly as a novelty item. Money belts never became widespread due to their bulk and aesthetic disadvantages which in combination led to disdain on the part of the average individual. Combined, these factors mitigated against the widespread use of money belts and they mostly fell out of favour. In addition, due to the novelty value their use became known to thieves, also mitigating against successfulness in their solution to the problem of portable and secure banknote storage. 
         [0006]    It is also possible to buy ordinary looking belts with concealed pocketing for hidden banknotes. In today&#39;s fast and fashion conscious travel world, there are obvious disadvantages to a large device which occupies such a prominent position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container for containing a banknote comprising: 
         [0000]    a body member having a cavity therein for receiving a banknote, said cavity having an opening therein;
 
a sealing member which releasably seals said opening of the cavity of the body member;
 
a mounting member for mounting said container to a key-ring, and
 
a clasp removably received in the cavity of the body member for holding the banknote in a folded position.
 
         [0008]    Preferably said body member is a tubular body member with one end closed and one end open. More preferably said sealing member is a tubular sealing member with one end closed and one end open, and said sealing member and said body member are engagable with each other to form a fully closed container. Yet more preferably when the clasp is received in the cavity of the body member of the container, the clasp extends beyond the opening of said cavity of said body member so that the clasp can be easily removed from the container by pulling said clasp. Even more preferably said clasp comprises two substantially parallel portions with a space therebetween for receiving the banknote, one end of one portion being connected to one end of the other portion. Yet more preferably each of said substantially parallel portions is in the shape of a strip. Even more preferably each of said substantially parallel portions is in the shape of a rod. Yet more preferably the clasp is in the form of a closed loop. Even more preferably the container is less than 2 cm in diameter, more preferably the container is less than 1 cm in diameter. Even more preferably the body member and the sealing member are hinged together. Yet more preferably the open ends of the respective body member and the sealing member are formed with threads so that the body member can be screwed to the sealing member. Even more preferably the body member and the sealing member can be push-fitted together. Yet more preferably said container further comprises a water proof seal between the body member and the sealing member. Even more preferably the water proof seal is an O-ring. Yet more preferably the container further comprises a spring loaded mechanism so that the clasp pops out when the container is opened. Even more preferably the mounting member comprises a projection on a closed end of the body member or of the sealing member. Yet more preferably the mounting member is rotatable relative to the body member or the sealing member. Even more preferably the projection comprises an aperture or a hole for attaching to a key-ring. 
         [0009]    Ideally the container is formed from two tubular sections, wherein said sections may be hinged, screwed or push-fitted together to form a continuous cylindrical capsule in use. Preferably there is provided a water resistant seal between the sections. 
         [0010]    Ideally the container provides internally a specifically designed portion, projection, clip or clasp which is provided for the location of one or more banknotes, whereby the clasp securely grasps or situates the banknote, whilst simultaneously minimising the volume occupied by the banknote(s) within the container. This may require the banknote to be folded in order to facilitate the effective minimisation. Ideally the banknote is wrapped around the clasp. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment a mounting member comprises a projection on the closed end of the body member or the sealing member. Said projection may provide an attachment point by having a centrally formed aperture or hole allowing attachment of a lanyard, split ring, quick release clip, carabiner or other attachment means. Such attachment point and means allows the user to attach the container to such items as a key ring, chain, bag, necklace or other frequently carried item. 
         [0012]    In this manner the user may keep an emergency banknote or banknotes with their keys on a key ring, or on a necklace, or on some other separate yet frequently carried item. It is in turn less likely that such an item will be lost or more particularly stolen, simultaneously with all other identification and banking cards, as by its nature, the container is unlikely to be kept or worn in the same place as, a purse or wallet. 
         [0013]    The mounting member may be formed integrally, such as by moulding. 
         [0014]    The banknote can be detached from the clasp and container with ease. To this end in further embodiments, spring loaded mechanisms may be employed to detach, separate or expose the clasp. 
         [0015]    The clasp comprises two substantially parallel portions with a space therebetween for receiving the banknote, one end of one portion being connected to one end of the other portion. One or more banknotes can be furled around the two substantially parallel portions. Each of said substantially parallel portions may be in the shape of a strip, or in the shape of a rod. Alternatively the clasp may be in the form of a closed loop. Alternatively a base may be provided so that the two, substantially parallel portions may be freestanding uprights posts. Desirably inserting the banknote into the space and rolling the banknote around the two substantially parallel portions prevents one part of the banknote slipping over another during the rolling thereby enabling the banknote to be rolled tightly. 
         [0016]    In an alternative embodiment the clasp may be connected to the container for example by way of a thread, sprung member or fine wire in order to prevent it being lost. 
         [0017]    Preferably the invention provides a waterproof container, for the storage and containment of a banknote that has been folded in such a way as to take up the minimum amount of space achievable. Preferably the container is designed to be as small as possible, thereby being lightweight and discreet. This clasp enables a banknote to be easily retrievable from the container when required. 
         [0018]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to Figures in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the exterior of the container according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the exterior of the container according to the present invention in an open position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows embodiments of the clasp portion according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  indicates folding of the banknote. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5 to 6  show photographs of a preferred embodiment of the container according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a container  1  includes a body member  3   b  and a sealing member  3   a . The body member  3   b  has a cavity  40  with an opening  41  therein. The container  1  further includes a mounting member  2  for mounting said container to a ring  20 . A hole or aperture is formed in the mounting member  2  for accepting the ring  20  for example a split ring, which may then be attached to a key-ring, or to a bag, or to an item of clothing (not shown). Alternatively ring  20  can be a key-ring. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6  the container further comprises a clasp  51 / 52 / 53  removably received in the cavity  40  of the body member  3   b  for holding a banknote in a folded position. The clasp  51 / 52 / 53  comprises two substantially parallel portions  51   a  and  51   b / 52   a  and  52   b / 53   a  and  53   b  with a space therebetween for receiving the banknote, one end of one portion being connected to one end of the other portion. One or more banknotes are furled around the two substantially parallel portions. Each of said substantially parallel portions may be in the shape of a strip, or in the shape of a rod. Alternatively the clasp may be in the form of a closed loop. The two, substantially parallel portions may be freestanding uprights posts. Inserting the banknote into the space and rolling the banknote around the two substantially parallel portions prevents one part of the banknote slipping over another during the rolling thereby enabling the banknote to be rolled tightly. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-2  the mounting member  2  is permanently fixed or attached to a sealing member  3   a  of the container  1 . Body member  3   b  (see  FIG. 6 ) is disassembled from the sealing member  3   a  thereby allowing easy removal of the clasp  51 / 52 / 53  from container  1 . The sealing member  3   a  and the body member  3   b  each has threaded portion  4   a ,  4   b  near its open end so that they can be screwed together. An elastomeric O-ring  8  is supported on an external flange of sealing member  3   a  in order to provide a watertight seal between the sealing member  3   a  and the body member  3   b  when they are closed. 
         [0027]    Mounting member  2  is ideally free to turn or swivel relative to the sealing member  3   a  to which it is attached. In this way the mounting member comprises multiple portions which may move relative to one another. This allows for more flexibility of movement after attachment to an item. The hole in the mounting member may be significantly larger than the ring  20  or other attachment means. 
         [0028]    Ideally the container  1  is made from a tough, crush resistant material such as a metal, metal alloy, aluminium or other non-oxidising metal. Alternatively the metal may be stainless steel, copper or bronze or other metal chosen for economic or aesthetic purposes. 
         [0029]    Ideally the container  1  measures less than 5 cm in length and less than 2 cm in diameter, more preferably the container measures less than 1 cm in diameter. 
         [0030]    Heavyweight or other synthetic plastics materials can be utilised to form the container  1  or a combination of materials may be used. This combination may comprise metal in fatigue and/or strength relevant areas such as the mounting member  2 , combined with predominantly synthetic plastics construction to minimise production costs. Such a construction also reduces the weight of the container  1  and allows economical manufacture, for example by way of casting. It also allows for the possibility of varying, cross-section, shape and dimensions of the container. 
         [0031]    In the embodiment described above the container  1  is formed from two sections that are attached one to other by means of a screw thread. In an alternative embodiment a press-together or push-fit connection may be used. In yet further embodiments a catch may be operable to close the container. In still further embodiments a combination of the above may be used to close the container and/or connect sections of the container one to another. The two sections may be hinged together. 
         [0032]    In this way the loss of one of the sections is less possible when the hinge is undamaged. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment clasp  51 / 52 / 53  is provided with a spring loading mechanism to facilitate its removal from body member  3   b  such that clasp  6  springs out when the container  1  is opened thereby permitting easy access to the banknote as it becomes exposed. 
         [0034]    The container  1  is dimensioned to receive the average or largest sized banknote in circulation. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , body member  3   b  and sealing member  3   a  have unequal length, with the smaller section  3   a  having the mounting member  2  and the larger section  3   b  being dimensioned to receive the folded banknote in its entirety. 
         [0036]    The container  1  is ideally rendered waterproof in its closed position by the utilisation of O-ring seal between the sections  3   a  and  3   b  as discussed above. This O-ring seal is preferably made of neoprene. In the alternative this O-ring is formed at least in part from a rubber compound. 
         [0037]    Alternatively in the threaded embodiment discussed above the thread portions  4   a  and  4   b  are constructed of a plastics or rubber material with some resilience or compliance, thereby providing a tighter seal when the sections are threaded together. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows preferred embodiments of clasp  51 / 52 / 53  that enable the banknote to be folded and rolled to a minimal size. The folded and rolled banknote is held folded and rolled by clasp  51 / 52 / 53 . The clasp  51 / 52 / 53  is preferably springy or flexible. 
         [0039]    Such a clasp  51 / 52 / 53  is necessary to minimise the storage volume of the banknote and in addition render the banknote(s) retrievable from the container  1  without inconvenience and avoiding possible tearing or damage to the banknote(s). In the absence of the clasp  51 / 52 / 53  the banknote is likely to be prone to becoming stuck in the container  1  as the banknote would tend to expand to retain its original size. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 6  when the clasp is received in the body member the clasp  51 / 52 / 53  is long enough to extend beyond the opening of body member  3   b  of the container  1  to allow the clasp  51 / 52 / 53  to be gripped and removed from or ejected from the body member  3   b  in which it is housed, thereby exposing the banknote for easier access. As discussed above the clasp  51 / 52 / 53  may be spring loaded at the closed end of the body member  3   b , wherein on the opening of the container  1  the clasp  51 / 52 / 53  springs out, to expose a greater amount of the banknote and to facilitate the retrieval of the banknote. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , to enable the banknote to be placed successfully within the container  1  and furled around the clasp  51 , it is preferable that the banknote is folded in a certain way that enables it to become as small as possible, in terms of length, diameter and width, as it is wrapped around the clasp  51  and fitted into the container  1 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , banknote is folded in half along its length. It is then folded in half again along its length. The banknote is then inserted into a space between the two substantially parallel portions  51   a  and  51   b  of the clasp  51  and then rolled around the clasp tightly to make as small a final diameter and as minimal a volumetric dimension as is possible. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 5  the banknote and clasp  51  are then inserted into the body member  3   b  and the sealing member  3   a  of the container  1  is screwed into place. This secures the banknote and allows easier removal of the banknote(s) by exposing the clasp  51 , detaching the banknote(s) from the clasp  51  and unfolding the banknote(s). The container may be attached to an item to form an emergency supply of cash. 
         [0044]    The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0045]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.