Safe device for collecting coins and safe method for transferring and emptying coin boxes

The invention relates to a safe device for collecting coins. It comprises a support receiving a coin box comprising a hatch controlled by an internal mechanism. The coin box comprises includes a locking means making it possible to authorize its introduction and its extraction in the support. The locking means making it possible to authorize the internal mechanism to open the hatch. The internal mechanism acts on the hatch by opening it when the locking means authorizes it and the coin box is introduced into the support; and by holding it closed otherwise. The subject of the invention is also a safe method for emptying coin boxes. The invention is applied to the transfer of coins without contact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Application is based on International Application No. PCT/EP2006/066646, filed on Sep. 22, 2006, which in turn corresponds to French Application No. 05 09775, filed on Sep. 23, 2005, and priority is hereby claimed under 35 USC §119 based on these applications. Each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a safe device for collecting coins as well as to a safe method for transferring and emptying coin boxes. In particular, the invention applies to the transferring of a coin box from a dispenser to a safe collection point where the content of the coin box is emptied, without the personnel having any physical contact with the coins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous automatic points of sale accept coins as a means of payment. Once collected, they are directed and stored within the dispenser in at least one coin box. Once filled, the coin box is replaced by an escorting agent, then escorted to a safe collection point. The coin box is then emptied there.

The operations of collecting and escorting the coin boxes must be done while limiting the possibilities of fraud to the maximum. For this purpose, it is important to limit physical contact and the possibility of seeing the coins in the course of these operations, including in respect of the personnel carrying out the collection and escorting.

A coin box generally comprises a lock prohibiting when it is locked its extraction from the dispenser. Only the personnel carrying out the escorting and collection have the key making it possible to unlock the lock prohibiting extraction. The opening of the coin box is generally barred by another lock. The escorting personnel, not having the key unlocking this other lock, therefore do not have access physically to the coins during extraction of the dispenser and transfer to the collection point.

Once the coin box has reached the collection point, a collection agent has the key allowing him to open the lock barring the opening of the coin box. The collection agent then has access physically to the coins during this operation. There is therefore a possibility of fraud by the collection agent opening the coin box at the collection point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to alleviate the aforesaid drawbacks. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a safe device for collecting coins. It comprises a support able to receive at least one coin box. The coin box is closed by a lid comprising a recess that can be obstructed by a hatch. The opening and the closing of the recess by the hatch being controlled by an internal mechanism. The coin box comprises:a locking means making it possible to authorize or to prohibit the introduction and the extraction of the coin box in the support;a locking means making it possible to give the authorization or the prohibition to open the hatch to the internal mechanism;
The internal mechanism acts on the hatch:by opening it when the locking means authorizes it and the coin box is introduced into the support;by holding it closed in all other cases.

In one embodiment, the support comprises at least one rod which, when the coin box is introduced into the support, enters the coin box by way of an opening. The rod comes into interaction with the internal mechanism so as to signal to it the introduction of the coin box into the support. The rod can furthermore comprise means allowing it to authenticate itself to the internal mechanism.

Advantageously, the coin box comprises a locking means allowing the maintenance personnel to open the lid of the coin box.

The subject of the invention is also a safe method for transferring a coin box from a point of sale comprising a support to a collection point comprising a support so as to be emptied. The coin box is closed by a lid. The lid comprises a recess that can be obstructed by a hatch. The opening and the closing of the recess by the hatch are controlled by an internal mechanism. The method comprises the following steps:authorization, given by a collection agent, to open the hatch;authorization, given by an escorting agent, to introduce the coin box into the support of the dispenser;introduction of the coin box into the support of the dispenser, the internal mechanism then causing the hatch to open;authorization, given by an escorting agent, to extract the coin box from the support of the dispenser, when the coin box has to be emptied,extraction of the coin box from the support of the dispenser, the internal mechanism then causing the hatch to close;transfer of the coin box to a collection point;authorization, given by a collection agent, to open the hatch;authorization, given by a collection agent, to introduce the coin box into the support of the emptying machine;introduction of the coin box into the support of the emptying machine, the internal mechanism then causing the hatch to open;authorization, given by a collection agent, to extract the coin box from the support of the emptying machine;extraction of the coin box from the support of the emptying machine, the internal mechanism then causing the hatch to close;transfer of the coin box to a point of sale.

In one embodiment, the internal mechanism authenticates the support before proceeding with the opening of the hatch.

Advantageously, the coin box can be opened after authorization given by the maintenance personnel.

The invention has in particular the advantages that it makes it possible to reconcile a high level of security with limited utilization constraints. Furthermore, the invention does not require any significant modification of the already installed dispensers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1illustrates the transferring of a coin box into an emptying machine according to the state of the art. A dispenser1is disposed in a point of sale. The dispenser1accepts in particular coins as a means of payment. The coins are introduced into a coin machine2. The coins are thereafter directed and stored within the dispenser1in at least one coin box4. The coin box4comprises a hatch through which the coins enter the coin box4. The coin box4generally has a lock locking the opening of the coin box4. The coin box4is disposed in the dispenser1in a support3ensuring in particular the interface between the coin machine2and the coin box4. The support3generally comprises a locking system with lock making it possible to lock the coin box4in the support3. When the coin box4is used to collect the coins, the locking system with lock disposed on the support3is locked and therefore prohibits the extraction of the coin box4from the support3.

Once filled, the coin box4must be extracted from the support3by an escorting agent. The escorting agent has a key making it possible to lock the coin introduction hatch and to unlock the locking system with lock disposed on the interface3. Once the locking system with lock has been disposed on the unlocked interface3, the escorting agent can extract the coin box4from the interface3. However, the escorting agent does not have the key allowing him to unlock the lock of the coin introduction hatch disposed on the coin box. The escorting agent therefore cannot have access physically to the coins. The escorting agent transfers the coin box4to a collection point.

At the collection point, a collection agent receives the coin box4. The coin box4is thereafter opened by the collection agent who has a key making it possible to unlock the lock disposed on the coin box4. The collection agent then has access physically to the coins. The coin box is thereafter emptied into a collection machine6.

FIG. 2aandFIG. 2bshow a coin box according to the invention seen in profile and from above. A coin box27comprises in particular a casket, serving as receptacle for the coins, and closed by a lid28. The lid28comprises a recess20that can be closed by a hatch21. The hatch21possesses principally two states: a state where it does not obstruct the recess20and a state where it totally closes the recess20. The hatch21is actuated automatically by an internal mechanism29disposed inside the coin box27. The coin box27can generally be positioned under the coin machine2of a dispenser1. When the hatch21does not obstruct the recess20, the coins coming from the coin machine2can enter the coin box27. The coin box27is designed to have significant resistance in relation in particular to the mechanical assaults to which it might be subjected.

The lid28furthermore comprises at least one opening26allowing the insertion of a rod. The internal mechanism29can thus detect the presence or otherwise of a rod in the coin box27.

The coin box27according to the invention furthermore possesses a locking means23for controlling the introduction into a support of the coin box27. The locking means23can in particular be a lock accompanied by a corresponding key C1. The locking means23operates in collaboration with the internal mechanism29. The locking means23makes it possible either to prohibit or to authorize the introduction of the coin box27into a support. For this purpose, when the locking means23is locked, the internal mechanism29can for example obstruct the opening26.

The coin box27according to the invention furthermore possesses a locking means24for locking the hatch21. The locking means24can in particular be a lock accompanied by a corresponding key C2. The locking means24operates in collaboration with the internal mechanism29. The locking means24makes it possible either to prohibit or to authorize the opening of the hatch21. For this purpose, when the locking means24is locked, the internal mechanism29can for example bar the displacement of the hatch21in a position where the hatch21obstructs the recess20.

Advantageously, the coin box27according to the invention can possess a locking means25for the maintenance of the coin box27. The locking means25can in particular be a lock accompanied by a corresponding key C3. The locking means25operates in collaboration with the lid28. The locking means25makes it possible either to prohibit or to authorize the opening of the lid28. The locking means in particular makes it possible to open the coin box27for purposes of maintenance by dedicated maintenance personnel. Maintenance can therefore be carried out by specific maintenance personnel in safe maintenance premises different from the collection point. Only the person responsible for utilization and maintenance has access to the key C3.

In one particular embodiment, the keys C1, C2and C3are high-security keys forming part of a hierarchized system of locks. In this case, the key C3makes it possible to lock or to unlock the locking means23,24and25. The key C2makes it possible to lock or to unlock the locking means23and24. The key C1makes it possible to lock or to unlock the locking means23.

FIG. 3shows a coin box support according to the invention. The elements identical to those already presented in the previous figures bear the same references. The support30according to the invention is dimensioned to receive a coin box27according to the invention. The hatch21of the coin box27once introduced into the support30is no longer accessible from the exterior when the support30is fixed under a coin machine2or on a collection machine6. Thus, even when the hatch21is open, it is not possible to access the content of the coin box27. The support30comprises in particular a rod31disposed in such a way that the rod31is introduced into the opening26when the coin box27is inserted into the support30. The rod31then interacts with the internal mechanism29. Advantageously, on the part interacting with the internal mechanism29the rod31comprises authentication means32. These may in particular be shapes making it possible to identify the rod32, such as for example hollows disposed in a manner comparable with the shapes of a key. The rod31can subsidiarily serve as guidance element for the coin box27. Moreover, the description alludes to a rod31. Naturally, the support30can comprise several rods comparable with the rod31.

FIG. 4illustrates the method for safely collecting coins according to the invention. The identical elements already presented in the previous figures bear the same references. In a first phase, the coin box27according to the invention collects the coins arising from the coin machine2of the dispenser1. During this phase, the coin box27is introduced into a support40of the same type as the support30according to the invention. The hatch21of the coin box27is held open by the internal device29. The coin box27is locked by the locking means23inside the support40.

Once the coin box27has been filled, an escorting agent must transfer it to the collection point where the box will be introduced and emptied by a collection agent into a support41of an emptying machine. The support41is of the same type as the support30according to the invention.

The coin box27has the locking means23, for example a lock and its key C1, ensuring in particular the locking of the extraction or of the introduction of the coin box27in the supports40and41. Thus, once the locking means23have been locked and without the key C1, it is not possible to extract the coin box27from its support40. Moreover, once the locking means23have been unlocked and without the key C1, it is not possible to introduce the coin box27into the support41.

The coin box27has the locking means24, for example a lock accompanied by a corresponding key C2, making it possible to give the authorization to open the hatch21to the internal mechanism29. Only the possessors of the key C2can give the authorization to open the hatch21to the internal mechanism29. However, the key C2alone does not make it possible to open the hatch21.

The escorting agent has the key C1allowing him to extract the coin box27from its support40. In a first step, the escorting agent unlocks with the aid of the key C1the locking means23prohibiting the extraction of the coin box27from its support40. This operation is performed at the point of sale. The hatch is secured automatically by the internal mechanism29. Once the coin box27has been extracted, the mechanical device29no longer holds open the hatch21of the coin box27. The hatch21cannot be opened again without in particular unlocking the locking means24with the aid of the key C2. However, the key C2does not suffice on its own to open the hatch21.

The coin box27thereafter journeys between the point of sale and the collection point. During this journey, the hatch21of the coin box27cannot be opened. The escorting agent does not have access physically to the coins.

In the collection point, situated in a safe zone, a collection agent receives the coin box27. The collection agent has the key C1and the key C2. The collection agent then uses the key C2on the locking means24so as to authorize the opening of the hatch21and then he uses the key C1on the locking means23so as to authorize the introduction of the coin box27into the support41of the emptying machine6. However, the collection agent cannot open the hatch21of the coin box27. The collection agent therefore does not have access physically to the coins. To empty the coins, it is necessary to introduce the coin box27into the support41of the emptying machine6. Only the combination of the authorization to open the hatch21given by the key C2, of the authorization to introduce into the support41given by the key C1and the insertion of the coin box27into the support41makes it possible to open the hatch21. The emptying of the coins present in the coin box4is performed automatically by the emptying machine6without intervention of a third party. In one embodiment, the support41is disposed in such a way that the hatch21of the coin box27is oriented downwards: thus through the effect of gravity, when the hatch21is opened by the mechanism29, the coins fall into the emptying machine6.

Once emptying has terminated, the collection agent uses the key1in the locking means23to authorize the extraction of the coin box27from the support41of the emptying machine6. The coin box27is thereafter extracted from the support41. Once the coin box27has been extracted, the internal mechanism29no longer holds open the hatch21of the coin box27. The hatch21cannot be opened again without in particular unlocking the locking means24with the aid of the key C2. The collection agent then uses the key C2on the locking means24to authorize the internal mechanism29to open the hatch21of the coin box27.

The coin box27emptied and reset then journeys to the point of sale. The coin box27is introduced again with the aid of the key C1into the support40of the dispenser1.

The above description is based on a coin box27. However, the invention applies equally to any container having to be transferred and then emptied without the content being accessible to the personnel performing these operations.

It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention fulfils all of the objects set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to affect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and various aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.