EP0681639A1

EP0681639A1 - Device for storing paper money in a security box

Info

Publication number: EP0681639A1
Application number: EP94905256A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan Wilhelm Moberg; Willem Van Tongeren; Robbert Jacob Willy Levie
Original assignee: BAVAK BEVEILIGINGSGROEP BV; HEMA BV; W VAN TONGEREN ARCHITEKT INTERIEUR PLANNING BV
Current assignee: BAVAK BEVEILIGINGSGROEP BV; HEMA BV; W VAN TONGEREN ARCHITEKT INTERIEUR PLANNING BV
Priority date: 1993-01-29
Filing date: 1994-01-28
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Also published as: NL9300192A; WO1994017274A1

Abstract

Device for storing paper money in a security box, comprising a security box (30) and a holder (1) for releasably fitting the security box (30) therein. The holder (1) and the security box (30) are both provided with a slot (4 and 35, respectively) for receiving the paper money, such that, when the security box (30) is fitted in the holder (1), both inlet slots (4; 35) are opposite one another. An automatically driven conveying mechanism (11) is disposed next to the inlet slot (4) in the holder (1) for automatically conveying the paper money tendered from the inlet slot (4) to the security box (30).

Description

Device for storing paper money in a security box.

The invention relates to a device for storing paper money in a security box, comprising a security box and a holder for releasably fitting the security box therein, the holder and the security box both being provided with a slot for receiving the paper money, and an automatically driven conveying mechanism being disposed next to the inlet slot in the holder for automatically conveying the paper money tendered from the inlet slot to the security box.

A device of this kind is disclosed in British Patent Application 2,236,143 and is used in practice in, inter alia, checkouts in shops, in order to avoid too much paper money being kept in a till, with a view to crime prevention. The paper money tendered at a checkout is in this case not stored in the till but directly in said security box. The till consequently only has to hold a sufficient amount of change, which may, if required, be supplemented with (small) amounts during use. A banknote to be stored has to be inserted by hand in the inlet slot of the holder and is then conveyed, initially completely, into the holder or housing of the box by the conveying mechanism. Via an inserter disposed in the holder, the banknote is then moved from the holder into and towards the bottom of the security box.

The known device is relatively large in size and takes up a great deal of space at the checkouts. The relatively large dimensions of the known device are caused, inter alia, by the fact that the inserter has to be of a length such that a banknote is indeed reliably inserted in the security box. Said length has to be at least equal to half the width of the banknote. Furthermore, in order to be able to convey banknotes into the holder with sufficient speed, a sufficiently large space has to be set aside in the holder for accommodating the banknotes. The drive mechanism for the inserter also takes up a relatively large space. It will be clear that the dimensions of the security box have to be adjusted to the anticipated intake of paper money. The security box and the holder are generally arranged at checkouts and hidden from the general public, not only with a view to theft but also because of their awkward dimensions. However, this has the disadvantage that the money can not be conveniently tendered at the box and that people involved in a money transaction can no longer check whether the paper money tendered is indeed stored in the security box.

However, because of ergonomic considerations, it is desirable to be able to store paper money as easily as possible in the box, preferably straight from the worktop or counter top at the checkout. This also offers the advantage that the person involved in the money trans¬ action, for example a buyer, can check whether the money is indeed tendered at the box. Also, because of the ever more stringent laws regarding conditions of employment, requirements are being imposed on the minimum amount of space available, the worktop height and the like of checkouts, payment counters etc., which, when using the current devices, can practically be met only by setting aside a relatively large floor area for the checkouts. As anyone would accept, this is unfavourable from the point of view of cost considerations. The space taken up by the checkouts in a shop, for example, cannot be used for displaying products, or, in the case of a given floor area for the checkouts, fewer tills can be installed, which may be particularly disadvantageous for supermarkets. There is therefore a growing demand for devices for the storage of paper money in conveniently sized security boxes, which devices can also be used at relatively small workstations, such as checkouts and the like.

In order to be able to meet this demand, the device according to the invention is characterized in that, during use, the security box with its inlet slot is placed inside the holder opposite the inlet slot of said holder. In the device according to the invention, the banknotes tendered at the inlet slot in the holder are inserted directly into the security box by the conveying mechanism and are moved or pushed on inside said security box. As a result, and in contrast to the known device, no free space has to be set aside for inserting the paper money in the holder to be used in the device according to the invention, nor do separate insertion means (inserter) and drive means have to be provided for this purpose. By ensuring the conveying mechanism is sufficiently powerful, the paper money can be stored inside the security box in a stuffed manner, as it were. The invention provides a conveniently sized device which takes up relatively little space and can be fitted under the worktop of a checkout counter, for example. With such an arrangement, the inlet slot for tendering the paper money to be stored can be provided in a visible location in the worktop, as a result of which the storage procedure can be directly checked visually.

Furthermore, it will be clear that, owing to the convenient dimensions of the device according to the invention, the ergonomic recommendations and legal requirements on the layout of checkouts, for example, can be met more easily without having to set aside excessively large floor areas, resulting in further economic advantages.

In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the holder comprises a slide provided with an insertion aperture for fitting the security box in the slide. The use of a slide for fitting the security box in the holder has the advantage that the inlet slots of the box and the holder can be unambiguously positioned adjoining each other without there being a need for a visual check. This is important in order to ensure that the paper money tendered does indeed reach the box. Accordingly, the holder can be fitted in locations which are relatively difficult to reach.

By providing, in another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the insertion aperture of the slide with a hinged flap which, in its closed position, engages with the security box placed in the slide in order to keep the inlet slot in the box and in the holder positioned opposite each other, a further safeguard is provided for ensuring that the banknotes tendered are conveyed into the security box. By means of said flap, which can be locked and/or secured, it is possible to mount the holder in any position, including a vertical position which is desirable in practice. Partly as a result of the visible arrangement of the device according to the invention, which is made possible by its convenient size, extra attention has to be given to the protection of the security box against unlawful removal from the holder. This will be a necessary requirement if the device according to the invention is used in locations which are readily accessible to the public, such as for example the abovementioned checkouts in shops, but also payment counters of banks, transport firms, travel agencies, in taxis, etc.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the slide is provided with a locking plate extending in the direction in which the security box is introduced into the slide and having undercut longitudinal edges, and wherein an outer wall of the security box is provided with a recess extending in the direction in which the security box is introduced into the slide and having undercut longitudinal edges, in such a manner that, when the security box is placed in the slide, the undercut longitudinal edges of the locking plate and the recess in the security box engage with each other in order to hold the security box in the slide.

By means of said construction, the security box can be held in the slide in a very secure manner. This reveals a further, added advantage of the use of a slide, namely that, by dimensioning the raised walls of the slide such that a tight fit with the walls of the security box is effected, a forced removal of a security box fitted in the above- described manner by means of, for example, a crowbar or the like, is effectively made more difficult.

In order to facilitate the fitting of the security box in the slide, in particular if the slide is arranged in a location which is difficult to reach, the locking plate can be formed to taper in the direction of the insertion aperture of the slide. A further safeguard against the removal of the security box from the holder according to yet another further embodiment of the invention is achieved by the fact that the holder is provided with a locking hook and the security box with a locking aperture for receiving the locking hook, in such a manner that, when the security box is placed in the holder, the locking hook engages by a hook-shaped end received in the locking aperture with a wall of the security box in order to hold the security box locked in the holder, the holder being provided with means for releasing the locking engagement of the locking hook with the security box. The releasing means may consist of a key-operated mechanical or electric lock, for which locks known per se in practice can be used. In addition to a mechanical key, a magnetic card, keypad or other encoding/decoding element can also be used.

In one embodiment of the invention, the conveying mechanism comprises a conveying duct, one end of which forms the inlet slot for receiving the paper money tendered, and the other end of which adjoins the inlet slot of a security box placed in the holder, one or more running wheels or rollers driven by a motor being arranged between one and the other end of the conveying duct in order to convey paper money tendered via the conveying duct through the action of frictional force. The conveying duct forms, as it were, the connection between the inlet slot for tendering the paper money to be stored and the inlet slot of the box. By using a conveying duct of this kind, which may basically have any kind of shape, such as linear, but also curved, the arrangement of, for example, the inlet slot in a worktop and the position of the security box can, to a large extent, be freely dimensioned.

In order to be able to push on or move the money inside the box, one or more further running wheels or rollers are provided in the security box in the preferred embodiment of the invention, in such a manner that one or more of these further running wheels can be driven from outside the security box in order to convey the paper money tendered from its inlet slot to the inside of the security box.

In order to successfully convey the paper money straight to and into the inlet slot of the box, the running wheels or rollers in the holder and/or the further running wheels or rollers in the security box in another further embodiment of the invention are arranged in pairs opposite one another, of which pairs one running wheel contains at least one groove and the other, opposite running wheel at least one raised section on their respective running surfaces.

When conveying banknotes between said running wheels or rollers, the engagement of a raised section with a groove causes a fold in the interposed banknote, which fold achieves straight conveying of the paper money. The raised section can have a spherical shape or the like. In a practical embodiment, the drive mechanism of the further running wheels or rollers in the security box is produced in such a manner that part of the circumferential surface of a further running wheel to be driven in the security box is accessible from the outside and engages with a driven running wheel or roller of the holder when said further running wheel or roller is placed in the holder, in such a manner that said further running wheel can be driven by said running wheel in the holder through the action of frictional force.

Although a continuously driven conveying mechanism can be employed during use, unnecessary wear of the conveying mechanism can effectively be prevented if the latter is activated only if a banknote is actually tendered. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, use is therefore made of a detection device which is arranged in the holder, near the inlet slot for tendering paper money to be stored, in order to determine whether paper money is being tendered, which detection device automatically activates the drive mechanism of the conveying mechanism.

The detection device may be any device which is known per se in practice and is suitable for this purpose. It was found that satisfactory results can be achieved using a photocell or an infrared detector. By ensuring that the conveying mechanism remains activated for a certain time after the detection of a storage action, every banknote will automatically be stored in the security box. If desired, a further detection device can be arranged in the holder as an additional safeguard, directly adjoining the inlet slot of the security box, which further detection device is set in such a manner that, when a banknote has passed, the drive of the conveying mechanism is switched off. In this case also, some additional drive time can be observed which makes allowance for a plurality of banknotes being tendered in succession. As relatively large amounts of money can be stored in a security box for use in the device according to the invention, as has been explained above, the security box in the preferred embodiment according to the invention consists of a box-shaped first part and a hinged lid-shaped second part connected thereto, the lid and the box being provided with half-ducts which adjoin one another in the closed state of the security box, such that one single continuous duct is formed in the closed state of the security box for affixing a seal thereto, as a result of which the lid and the box can be separated only by breaking said seal.

A plastic strap having ends which can be secured only once, or a piece of string whose ends are fixed to one another by a so-called lead seal, can be used as seal. Such a seal is also referred to as a "legal lock". In case the box has a mechanical, key-operated lock for securing the box, it is advisable to place the key aperture on the intake slot side, as a further safety measure. In use, this side adjoins the inlet slot and the conveying mechanism in the holder and is therefore generally not easily accessible.

The invention also relates to a security box as described above, which may be made of plastic or metal, and to a holder as described above. The invention also relates to a checkout counter or the like, provided with a worktop having a slot for receiving the paper money, which inlet slot adjoins the inlet slot of a holder fitted under the worktop, as described above.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings. In these:

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal section through a holder according to the invention;

Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a sectional view of the holder according to Figure 1 along the line II-II. Figure 3 diagrammatically shows a plan view of the holder according to Figure 1.

Figure 4 diagrammatically shows a side view of a security box according to the invention for use in the holder shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 diagrammatically shows a view of a longitudinal section of the security box according to Figure 4;

Figure 6 diagrammatically shows a front view of the security box according to Figure 4;

Figure 7 diagrammatically shows a view of a longitudinal section of the security box according to Figure 4 placed in the holder according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 diagrammatically shows a sectional view of the security box according to Figure 4 along the line VIII-VIII;

Figure 9 diagrammatically shows a sectional view of the security box according to Figure 4 along the line XI-XI in Figure 8;

Figure 10 diagrammatically shows a further front view of the security box according to Figure 4.

The preferred embodiment of a holder 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises an elongate slide 2 for accommodating a security box and a conveying mechanism 3 for conveying paper money tendered at an inlet slot 4. The inlet slot 4 of the holder 1 is formed by one end of a conveying duct 5, the other end 6 of which ends in the slide 2. The holder 1 is fitted under a worktop 7 of, for example, a checkout counter which is provided with an inlet aperture 8, which inlet aperture 8 adjoins the inlet slot 4 of the holder 1. For the sake of clarity, only part of the worktop 7 has been shown. In order to place a security box in the slide 2, the latter is provided with an insertion aperture 9 on the end lying to the left in the figure, which aperture can be opened and reclosed by means of a hinged flap 10. In order to convey tendered banknotes from the inlet slot 4 to the end 6 ending in the slide 2 through the conveying duct 5, a running wheel or roller 11 is arranged in the holder 1 in a spring-mounted manner, as illustrated by the broken lines. The running wheel 11 is controlled by a diagrammatically illustrated motor 13. The motor 13 is driven via an electric circuit (not shown) controlled by a photocell or infrared detector 14 fitted near the inlet slot 4. The photocell or infrared detector 14 detects the banknote being tendered at the inlet slot 8 and activates the motor 13 for a predetermined time. That is to say, for a period of time long enough for the banknote to have almost certainly passed through the conveying duct 5. If desired, a further photocell, infrared detector or other detection device can be fitted on the end 6 of the conveying duct 5, by means of which it is possible to determine unambiguously whether the banknote has left the conveying duct 5 and is thus stored in the security box in the slide 2.

The running wheel 11 has a running surface 12 such that the paper money is conveyed through the conveying duct 5 through the action of frictional force. Running wheels which are suitable for this purpose are known per se in practice. It will be obvious that the conveying mechanism 3 may comprise a number of running wheels 11 , which may be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the conveying duct 5.

As can be seen from the sectional view of Figure 2, the slide 2 has a U-shaped cross section with upright side walls 15, 16 and a bottom wall 17. A locking plate 18 is mounted on the bottom wall 17 for holding a security box in the slide 2. The manner in which said locking plate 18 engages with the security box is explained in more detail below.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the holder 1 on the bottom wall 17 of the slide 2. From this, it can clearly be seen that the locking plate 18 tapers in the direction of the insertion aperture 9. The flap 10 with its hinge points 20 can also clearly be seen in this figure. In addition, a locking hook 21 is shown which extends from that part of the holder 1 where the conveying mechanism 3 is fitted to the interior of the slide 2. A security box placed in the slide 2 is held in a locking manner in the slide 2 by means of the hook-shaped end 22 of said locking hook 21. In the embodiment shown, the locking hook 21 can be locked in a secured manner by means of a key-operated mechanical lock 23.

Figure 4 shows a view of a security box 30 which is suitable for use in the holder 1 and is approximately rectangular. The security box 30 consists of two hinged parts connected to each other, i.e. a box- shaped first part 31 and a lid-shaped second part 32. The hinge point is indicated by 33. The figure furthermore shows a recess 34 provided on either side of the lid 32 for holding the security box 30 by hand. The security box 30 can be made of, for example, impact-resistant plastic or metal. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section through the security box

30 shown in Figure 4. On a narrow side, an inlet slot 35 can be seen for storing paper money in the security box. In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the security box 30 according to the invention, further running wheels or rollers 36, 37 are arranged in a spring-mounted manner at the inlet slot 35 as illustrated by broken lines. A banknote to be stored in the security box 30 is conveyed between these further running wheels 36, 37. The running surface 38 of the running wheel 36 is partly accessible from the outside of the security box 30. In this case as well, a number of pairs of running wheels or roller 36, 37 can be provided in the security box 30.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the security box 30 from the narrow side wall provided with the inlet slot 35. Furthermore, an aperture 39 can be seen in said side wall, via which aperture 39 the locking hook 21 with its hook-shaped end 22 can engage with the relevant wall of the security box in order to hold the box in a locking manner in the holder 1. In addition, that part of the running surface 38 of the further running wheel 36 which is accessible from the outside can be seen. The security box is provided with a mechanical lock having a key aperture 40 for locking both halves 31, 32 of the security box in a secured manner. A hole 41 is provided in the holder 1 for accommodating the key aperture 40, as is indicated by broken lines in Figure 3.

In order to convey a banknote straight into the inlet slot 35, the running wheel 37 is provided on its running surface in the longitudinal direction with one or more grooves (50), and the running wheel 36 on its running surface comprises one or more raised sections (51) distributed in the longitudinal direction. When the raised sections (51) engage with a groove (50), a fold is created in the interposed banknote, which results in straight conveying between the running wheels (36,37). Running wheels or rollers may also be provided in the conveying mechanism 3 in the holder 1 , which running wheels or rollers are arranged opposite one another and are provided with grooves or raised sections, as described. In order to prevent the banknotes becoming rolled up around the running wheels or rollers 36, 37, guard screens or lips 53 are provided in the box, which terminate near the running surface of the running wheels or rollers 36, 37.

Figure 7 shows the position in which the security box 30 is fitted in the holder 1. It can clearly be seen that the inlet slot 35 of the security box 30 adjoins the end 6 of the conveying duct 5, which in turn adjoins the inlet slot 4 of the holder 1. A banknote tendered at the inlet slot 4 is conveyed via the conveying duct 5 into the security box. It can clearly be seen that the flap 10 on the insertion aperture 9 of the slide 2 engages with the security box 30, so that both inlet apertures 6 and 4, respectively, and 35 are kept in a mutually adjoining position. The holder 1 can thus be mounted in any position, including a vertical position. If desired, the flap 10 can also be provided with a lock.

Figure 8 shows a cross section through the security box 30. On the underside of the box, that is to say the box-shaped first part 31 thereof, a recess 42 can be seen which extends in the longitudinal direction of the security box, as illustrated in Figure 5. Said recess 42 comprises undercut longitudinal edges 43 which engage with undercut longitudinal edges 44 of the locking plate 18, as shown in Figure 2. When the security box 30 is fitted into the slide 2 from the insertion aperture 9, the respective undercut longitudinal edges 43, 44 engage with each other, as a result of which the security box is firmly locked in the slide 2. This is an effective safeguard against, for example, forced removal of a security box from the holder by means of a crowbar. The tapering shape of the locking plate 18 facilitates sliding a security box 30 into the slide 2.

A further safeguard against the unlawful opening of the security box is achieved by means of a seal or legal lock 45, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Said legal lock consists of two half-ducts 46, 47, in the lid 32 and the bottom or first part 31 of the security box 30, respectively. In the closed state of the box, the two half-ducts 46, 47 adjoin each other, as shown in the sectional view of the box according to Figure 9. In this way, a continuous duct is formed which is open from the upper wall 48 of the lid 32 of the box 30, and which can accommodate a seal strap or a piece of string whose ends are sealed, or the like. The box can then be opened only by breaking said seal.

A further safeguard can be achieved by providing ink cartridges 52 in the box, as is shown diagrammatically in Figure 9. Said ink cartridges 52 will burst if the box 30 is forced open, as a result of which the paper valuables in the box will be rendered useless to third parties.

Finally, Figure 10 shows a front view of the security box 30 with which the flap 10 engages. A bar-code sticker 49 has been provided for identification of the security box 30. In a practical embodiment, the security box is approximately

20 cm long, approximately 12 cm wide and approximately 10-15 cm high, which are very convenient dimensions. The holder 1 in this case is approximately 30 cm long and of approximately equal size in terms of width and height as the security box. Holders of such size are very suitable for fitting under worktops of checkout counters, payment counters and the like.

It will be clear to persons skilled in the art that many embodiments of a holder and security box or cash box can be produced, based on the inventive idea. For example, security boxes in which the inlet slot is provided in one of the long sides, for example for transversely conveying banknotes in the box. Although only paper money and banknotes have been mentioned above, all kinds of papers and paper valuables which can be stored in a box, such as cheques, payment slips, till receipts and the like are to be understood to fall within the scope of the invention and claims.

Claims

1. Device for storing paper money in a security box, comprising a security box (30) and a holder (1) for releasably fitting the security box (30) therein, the holder (1) and the security box (30) both being provided with a slot (4 and 35, respectively) for receiving the paper money, and an automatically driven conveying mechanism (11) being disposed next to the inlet slot (4) in the holder (1) for automatically conveying the paper money tendered from the inlet slot (4) to the security box (30), characterized in that, during use, the security box (30) with its inlet slot (35) is placed inside the holder (1) opposite the inlet slot (4) of said holder (1).

2. Device according to Claim 1 , wherein the holder (1 ) comprises a slide (2) provided with an insertion aperture (9) for fitting the security box (4) in the slide (2).

3. Device according to Claim 2, wherein the insertion aperture (9) is provided with a hinged flap (10), which flap (10), in its closed position, engages with a security box (30) placed in the slide (2) in order to keep the two inlet slots (4; 35) positioned opposite each other.

4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the slide (2) is provided with a locking plate (18) extending in the direction in which the security box (30) is introduced into the slide (2) and having undercut longitudinal edges (44), and wherein an outer wall of the security box (30) is provided with a recess (42) extending in the direction (19) in which the security box (30) is introduced into the slide and having undercut longitudinal edges (43), in such a manner that, when the security box (30) is placed in the slide (2), the undercut longitudinal edges (44 and 43, respectively) of the locking plate (18) and the recess (42) in the security box (30) engage with each other in order to hold the security box (30) in the slide (2).

5. Device according to Claim 4, wherein the locking plate (18) is formed in a tapering manner in the direction of the insertion aperture (9) of the slide (2).

6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (1) is provided with a locking hook (21) and the security box (30) with a locking aperture (39) for receiving the locking hook (21), in such a manner that, when the security box (30) is placed in the holder (1), the locking hook (21) engages by a hook-shaped end (22) received in the locking aperture (39) with a wall of the security box (30) in order to hold the security box (30) locked in the holder (1), the holder (1) being provided with means (23) for releasing the locking engagement of the locking hook (21) with the security box (30).

7. Device according to Claim 6, wherein the releasing means comprise a key-operated lock (23).

8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a conveying duct (5), one end of which forms the inlet slot (4) for receiving the paper money tendered, and the other end (6) of which adjoins the inlet slot (35) of a security box (30) placed in the holder (1), one or more running wheels or rollers (11) driven by a motor (13) being arranged between one (4) and the other end (6) of the conveying duct (5) in order to convey paper money tendered via the conveying duct (5) through the action of frictional force.

9. Device according to Claim 8, wherein one or more further running wheels or rollers (36, 37) are provided in the security box (30) in such a manner that one or more of these further running wheels (36, 37) can be driven from outside the security box (30) in order to convey the paper money tendered from its inlet slot (35) to the inside of the security box (30).

10. Device according to Claim 9, wherein part (38) of the circum¬ ferential surface of a further running wheel or roller (36) to be driven in the security box (30) is accessible from the outside and engages with a driven running wheel or roller (11) of the holder (1 ) when said further running wheel or roller (36) is placed in the holder (1), in such a manner that said further running wheel can be driven by said running wheel ( 1) in the holder (1 ) through the action of frictional force.

11. Device according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the running wheels or rollers (11) in the holder (1 ) and/or the further running wheels or rollers (36, 37) in the security box (30) comprise pairs of running wheels or rollers opposite one another, of which pairs one running wheel (37) contains at least one groove (50) and the opposite, other running wheel (36) at least one raised section (51) on the respective running surfaces.

12. Device according to Claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein a detection device (14) is arranged in the holder (1), near the inlet slot (4) for tendering paper money to be stored, in order to determine whether paper money is being tendered, which detection device (14) automatically activates the drive mechanism (13) of the conveying mechanism (11).

13. Device according to Claim 12, wherein the detection device comprises a photocell and/or an infrared detector (14).

14. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the security box (30) consists of a box-shaped first part (31) and a hinged lid-shaped second part (32) connected thereto, the lid (32) and the box (31) being provided with half-ducts (46, 47) which adjoin one another in the closed state of the security box (30), such that one single continuous duct (45) is formed in the closed state of the security box (30) for affixing a seal thereto, as a result of which the lid (32) and the box (31) can be separated only by breaking said seal.

15. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the security box (30) is provided with a key-operated lock (40) for securing the box (30), the key aperture being provided on the intake slot (35) side.

16. . Holder for receiving a security box (30), according to one or more of the preceding claims.

17. Security box (30) for use in a holder (1), according to one or more of Claims 1 to 15 inclusive.

18. Checkout counter provided with a holder according to one or more of Claims 1 to 15 inclusive, comprising a worktop (7) having an inlet slot (8) for tendering the paper money to be stored, which inlet slot (8) adjoins the inlet slot (4) of the holder (1) fitted under the worktop.