INFEED DEVICE

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a device pertaining to the infeed of objects into a safety deposit container (1) that includes a security space (11) which is preferably alarmed against unauthorised access. The device (20) includes a rotatable cylinder (22) that has a cavity (27) for temporary accommodation of the object/objects fed thereinto. The cylinder (22) includes an alarm mat or an alarm layer or like structure which forms part of the container alarm circuit. The container (1) includes a cylinder housing space, and wall sections (15-18) of the safety deposit container (1) border on and conform with the outer shape of the cylinder.

Description: INFEED DEVICE The present invention relates to a device for feeding objects into a safety deposit container that has a security space in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1. The invention also relates to a method. There is a need to be able to feed, for instance, valuable objects into the security space of a safety deposit container that has been alarmed, without detracting from the security afforded by the container. A safety deposit container of this kind may have an alarmed outer casing and include destructive means that is activated when an unauthorised attempt to open the container is made, such as to colour (stain) the valuable contents of the security space or to destroy said contents in some other way and therewith render the contents useless. WO 93/23648 exemplifies a safety deposit container that includes a security space of the aforesaid kind. One object of the present invention is to provide in respect of safety deposit containers a highly effective infeed device that functions together with the alarm mechanism in the container. This object is achieved with an infeed device that has the characteristic features set forth in the accompanying Claims . The following advantages are among those afforded by the invention. The inventive infeed device can be readily integrated with the container alarm system. The casing-protective function of the alarm system is not jeopardised by the inventive device. The infeed device is very secure against unauthorised manipulation. The invention has both technical and economical advantages. The invention will now be described with reference to an exemplifying embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a partially cut-away schematic front view of a safety deposit container that includes an inventive infeed device; Fig. 2 is a partially cut-away side view of the safety deposit container shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the safety deposit container of Fig. 1 from above; Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration in larger scale of the infeed device in one infeed phase; and Figs. 5 and 6 are cut-away side views that illustrate alternative embodiments with respect to positioning of the infeed device . Figs. 1-4 illustrate a safety deposit container in the form of a case 1 constructed of two specially designed laminated parts 10a and 10b that are configured to enclose a space 11 in which, for instance, valuable objects can be kept safely. The parts 10a and 10b are hinged together by hinges 12 and the case 1 also includes a handle 13 and lock means 14. The case 1 has provided therein an electronic unit and a destructive agent which is operative to destroy the valuable contents of the safety space 11 when necessary, e.g. stain said contents. The outer casing 10a, 10b of the case 1 may be comprised of plastic laminates or sheet-like elements that include an alarm mat or an alarm layer that is controlled by the electronic unit . The alarm layer and the electronic unit are thus included in the alarm circuit of the case or container 1. When the case alarm circuit is activated, any attempt to force open the case will result in activation of the destructive agent by the alarm circuit, so as to destroy the valuable contents of the case 1. After having filled the case with valuable items, the alarm circuit is activated to provide safe transportation of the case to its destination, at which the alarm circuit is deactivated so that the case can be safely opened and emptied of its contents. The case 1 is equipped with an inventive infeed device 20 that enables valuable objects, for instance bundles of banknotes, to be fed into the security space 11 even when the alarm circuit has been activated. Among other things, this facilitates transportation of the case or container from several different collecting points to a final depositing destination. The infeed device 20 includes a drum/cylinder 22 that rotates about its centre axis 21. The cylinder 22 has in its peripheral surface an elongate opening 23 defined by side walls 24,25 and a bottom 26. There is thus formed in the cylinder 22 a cavity 27 for temporary accommodation of those objects to be fed into the security space 11. The cylinder 22 includes end-walls 28,29 which each carry a respective pin 30, which is rotatably mounted on its adjacent wall section 15,16 of the security space 11. The security space 11 includes an accommodation area in which the cylinder 22 is housed and further includes wall sections 15-18 that conform accurately to the peripheral surface and end-walls of the cylinder and therewith make it impossible to force an entry into the case in the region between the cylinder 22 and the adjacent wall sections of the security space. The security of the case or container against forced entry can be enhanced by including in the case alarm circuit wires that will break if an attempt is made to force the infeed opening apart. According to the invention, the cylinder 22 is comprised at least partially of a plastic laminate or sheet-like element that includes an alarm mat or an alarm layer which forms part of the alarm circuit of the safety deposit container 1. Rotation of the cylinder 22 through, e.g., one-half of a revolution is ensured by magazine windings or sliding contacts. The wall sections 17,18 of the security space 11 adjacent the peripheral surface of the cylinder 22 are provided with an inlet opening 40 which allows objects to be deposited in the security space 11 when the cylinder 22 is in a secondary position of rotation (see Fig. 2) . Flaps 41-43 are disposed in a zigzag pattern at the infeed opening 40 and function to prevent return of deposited objects through the infeed opening should the case be turned upside down. The flaps 41- 43 are pivotally mounted in the edge regions of the infeed opening 40. The case 1 also includes an openable outer flap 50 which is hinged at 51 and which can be swung between a closed position (Fig. 2) and an open position (Fig. 4) . The cylinder 22 is preferably arranged so that when the outer flap 50 is closed it will be located in its secondary position in which the cavity 27 communicates with the infeed opening 40 shown in Fig. 2. As the outer flap 50 is opened, the cylinder 22 rotates to the primary position shown in Fig. 4, so as to allow an object or objects to be fed into the cavity 27, said cylinder returning to its secondary position as the outer flap 50 is closed, wherewith the object or objects fall gravitationally down into the security space 11 and the case can then be prepared for fresh infeed of objects, this procedure being repeated as necessary. Objects can also be deposited into the security space when the case alarm circuit is in an activated mode. Rotation of the cylinder 22 in response to manoeuvring of the outer flap 50 may be effected with the aid of an electric motor or with the aid of a spring-wire arrangement, wherewith the cylinder 22 will preferably rotate reciprocatingly, as indicated by the two-headed arrow A. If manipulative attempts are made to empty the security space 11 of the objects contained therein by turning the case 1 upside down, the flaps 41-43 will close the opening 40 and therewith prevent said objects from falling into the cylindrical cavity 27. Although not shown, the security afforded by the case 1 can be further enhanced by providing a drop shutter that fixates the cylinder 22 in its position of rotation shown in Fig. 2, when the case is turned upside down. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate schematically alternative embodiments with respect to the location of the inventive infeed device on a safety deposit container, wherewith all sections of said container, or case, conform to the outer contours of the cylinder 22 in the aforedescribed manner. Figs. 5 and 6 show the cylinder 22 in its primary position of rotation. It will be understood that the inventive infeed device 20 can be used with both static and mobile safety deposit containers . It will also be understood that the structural design of the infeed device can be varied widely within the scope of the basic inventive concept. It is important, however, that the cylinder 22 includes an alarm mat or an alarm layer or the like that forms part of an alarm circuit. The cylinder 22 and the container or case 1 may be comprised of sheet elements in accordance with WO 93/23648, although other types of laminates or sheet elements may be used. The extent to which the alarm layer extends on the cylinder 22 will, of course, depend on the configuration of the cylinder surroundings and, when necessary, the entire cylinder 22, including its end- walls 28,29, side walls 24,25 and bottom 26, may be provided with an alarm layer or like structure. If desired, the wall sections 15-18 that surround the cylinder 22 may, of course, also be provided with alarm layers or like structures that form part of the alarm circuit of the safety deposit container. It will therefore be understood that the invention is not restricted to the described and illustrated embodiments thereof and that modifications and variations are conceivable within the scope of the accompanying Claims .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for feeding objects into a safety deposit container (1) that includes a security space (11) which is preferably alarmed against unauthorised access to said space, characterised in that the device (20) includes a rotatable cylinder (22) ; in that the cylinder (22) includes a cavity (27) for temporary accommodation of said object or objects fed into the cavity; and in that the cylinder (22) includes an alarm mat or an alarm layer or like structure that forms part of a container alarm circuit. 2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the container (1) includes a cylinder housing space; and in that container wall sections (15-18) conform to the outer shape of the cylinder (22) . 3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the cylinder (22) is rotatable between a primary position (Fig. 4) in which objects can be inserted into the cylinder cavity (27) , and a secondary position (Fig. 2) in which objects are delivered to the security space (11) of said container (1) . 4. A device according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterised by flaps (41-43) pivotally mounted at the infeed opening (40) of the security space (11) . 5. A method pertaining to the infeed of objects into a safety deposit container (1) that includes a security space (11) that is preferably alarmed against unauthorised access, characterised by using a rotatable cylinder (22) that includes a cavity (27) into which an object or objects is/are fed, and thereafter turning the cylinder to another position in which the object/objects is/are transferred from the cylinder cavity (27) to the container security space (11) . 6. A method according to Claim 5, characterised by allowing the object/objects to fall gravitationally from the cylinder cavity (27) into the container security space (11) .

Inventors: LINDSKOG KJELL, LINDSKOG, KJELL
Applicants: LINDSKOG KJELL, SQS AB, LINDSKOG, KJELL, SQS SECURITY QUBE SYSTEM AB
Application year: 1999
Main classification: E05G1
IPC codes: E05G1, E05G7