EP1396601A1 - Protection devices for valuables, said valuables being all or partly made of plastic polymers - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) has an inner volume to receive valuables (P) such as banknotes or cards made at least partially from a polymer material, and incorporates a system for destroying or neutralizing the contents in the event of an attempt to break into the container. The system is designed to generate heat by mixing two reagents, at least one of which is initially in a liquid state, while the other can be a solid or a gas, contained in breakable capsules of glass or plastic. One of the reagents can be water, and the other selected from phosphorous pentoxide, calcium oxide, calcium orthophosphate, orthophosphoric acid, barium oxide, hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide or sodium sulfide.

Description

The present invention relates to devices for securing securities (banknotes, documents or bank cards, for example), ensuring secure storage and / or secure transport of valuables made up in whole or in part by a plastic polymer.

The invention relates more particularly to a method allowing the destruction or neutralization of securities wholly or partly made up of plastic materials in the event of an attempt to break in the closed enclosure (cabinet, trunk, vehicle, armored or not) where they are transported or stored.

• la voie "classique" mettant en oeuvre le stockage et le transport dans des sacs ou contenants non sécurisés, dans des enceintes blindées (coffre, véhicule blindé...). Dans ce cadre, le transport de fonds nécessite en France réglementairement un équipage de trois personnes armées ; et
• l'utilisation de systèmes dits "alternatifs", utilisant des enceintes sécurisées permettant la destruction des valeurs en cas de tentative d'effraction. Selon cette seconde voie, la réglementation impose le transport de fonds dans des véhicules non blindés, avec un équipage d'une personne non armée.

In terms of storage and transport of valuables, in particular of the banknote type, there are mainly two ways of securing, namely:

• the "classic" route using storage and transport in bags or non-secure containers, in armored enclosures (trunk, armored vehicle ...). In this context, the transport of cash requires in France a crew of three armed people; and
• the use of so-called "alternative" systems, using secure enclosures allowing the destruction of values in the event of an attempted break-in. According to this second way, the regulations impose the transport of funds in unarmoured vehicles, with a crew of an unarmed person.

Currently known "alternative" devices use for the essence of the so-called "smudge" principle, which consists of freeing up values stored or transported compounds such as inks or dyes in attempted break-in, which makes the values theoretically unusable. In this context, "alternative" devices generally include containers fitted with pyrotechnic systems, which release the smearing compound contained in a tank in the event of an attempted break-in.

However, if the devices implementing the smearing process are generally well suited for securing securities based on paper, they turn out to be ineffective when the securities transported or stored are based on plastic polymer materials. In this case staining is indeed completely ineffective, and it does not allow a actual destruction of values.

In this regard, it should be noted that, with regard to banknotes bank, it is mandatory due to current regulations, that at least 20% of each side of each note is destroyed by smudging.

• La facilité de reproduction des signes de sécurité distinctifs : une contrefaçon relativement aisé des billets à base de papier est maintenant devenu relativement aisée, compte tenu du matériel infographique moderne (copieurs couleurs, scanners, imprimantes à jet d'encre, imprimantes à hologrammes...) maintenant à la portée du grand public, et donc des contrefacteurs.
• La nécessité d'un recyclage relativement rapide du papier monnaie (quelques mois pour les plus petites coupures) du fait de son usure en cours d'utilisation. En France, 700 tonnes de papier monnaie sont détruites et remplacées chaque année, ce qui représente un problème à la fois écologique, écotoxicologique et économique.
• Des dysfonctionnements fréquents dans les distributeurs de billets de banque, qui nécessitent pour leur bon fonctionnement des billets neufs ou en très bon état.

Indeed, conventional banknotes, generally made up of 95% of pure cellulose cotton paper, and 5% of poly (vinyl alcohol), have significant drawbacks, among which may be mentioned:

• Ease of reproduction of distinctive security features: relatively easy counterfeiting of paper tickets has now become relatively easy, given modern computer graphics equipment (color copiers, scanners, inkjet printers, hologram printers, etc.). .) now available to the general public, and therefore to counterfeiters.
• The need for relatively rapid recycling of paper money (a few months for the smallest cuts) due to its wear during use. In France, 700 tonnes of paper money are destroyed and replaced each year, which represents an ecological, ecotoxicological and economic problem.
• Frequent malfunctions in banknote dispensers, which require new or very good banknotes for their proper functioning.

However, there are currently bank notes created in less in part of hydrophobic polymers which make smudging inoperative of their surface by inks or dyes.

Given these drawbacks, it has been developed in some countries (such as Brazil, Australia, Canada ($ 5 bill), New Zealand, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Vietnam, Indonesia, Romania, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kuwait, Western Samoa, Haiti, among others) banknotes made up in whole or in part of polymer such as polypropylene (PP). Australia is a forerunner in this technology, where polypropylene banknotes were put into circulation in 1988.

It is also known to cover banknotes with a plastic surface protection, for example in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In addition to the benefits of longer life, the use of polymers such as polypropylene for the constitution of tickets also offers the possibility, for example by implementing printing tickets under high pressure, to achieve three-dimensional distinctive characters difficult to reproduce including transparency. In addition, the polypropylene bank note technology allows recycling ecological, used banknotes which can be shredded, treated by separation of polypropylene and inks. The polypropylene can then be recycled as as raw material for the manufacture of various objects, the inks can be treated separately, and residual sludge used as fertilizer.

Also, the implementation of such tickets based on polymers tends to be develop.

Euro banknotes (called Euros 1 by the Bank of France) go be gradually replaced within 2/4 years by banknotes called Euros 2. These tickets will incorporate additional security features, as the limits security signs that can be incorporated on paper are now reached.

Also, and as will be shown below, the banknotes offering surface protection made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or made of polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or one of their copolymers is likely to be used in the context of the manufacture of the next Euros.

At present, the only known "alternative" methods are not effective for securing securities based on polymer materials plastic such as banknotes made from plastic materials. Indeed, these materials do not allow permanent smudging by inks or any other coloring matter.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple device for setting efficient and effective, allowing secure storage and / or secure transport banknotes surface treated with polymers such as PTFE, or consisting wholly or partly of a polymer such as polyolefins, in particular the polyethylene and polypropylene and their copolymers, or else ABS, PET, PETE, polyacrylates, polyesters, polystyrenes and others plastic polymers, for which the neutralization or destruction by smearing cannot be used.

More generally, the invention aims to provide a device for storing and / or transporting securities based on plastic polymers (tickets, bank cards, documents ...) and make these unusable values in the event of attempted break or enter.

More specifically, the invention relates to a security device of values constituted wholly or in part by a plastic polymer P, said device comprising a closed enclosure provided with storage means said values, associated with heat generating means capable to generate, within said enclosure, a sufficient rise in temperature to induce at least partial melting and / or deformation of the polymer P, the rise in temperature by said heat generating means being triggered by control means upon detection of an attempt breach or subtraction of the enclosure.

By "security device" means a device allowing in particular to store and / or transport objects while preventing theft of these objects. Thus, the security device according to the invention can by example take the form of a secure cabinet, a secure safe, or a armored vehicle.

• des objets recouverts au moins en partie (voire totalement) par ledit polymère P, ce polymère pouvant par exemple assurer un rôle protecteur (billets ou documents papier traités en surface par le polymère P par exemple ; dans ce cadre, le polymère P est de préférence un PTFE) ;
• des objets comprenant des parties constitutives essentiellement constituées du polymère P (cartes bancaires, ou billets à base du polymère P, notamment ; dans ce cadre, le polymère P peut être par exemple une polyoléfine, en particulier un polyéthylène ou un polypropylène).

By "values constituted wholly or in part by a plastic polymer P" is meant, within the meaning of this description, objects capable of attracting lust, and comprising at least one constituent part based on a plastic polymer P, said valuable object can thus in particular be a ticket, a bank card, or even a document. Thus, in particular, the term "values constituted in whole or in part by a plastic polymer P" can notably designate:

• objects covered at least in part (or even completely) by said polymer P, this polymer being able for example to provide a protective role (tickets or paper documents treated on the surface with polymer P for example; in this context, polymer P is preferably PTFE);
• objects comprising constituent parts essentially consisting of the polymer P (bank cards, or tickets based on the polymer P, in particular; in this context, the polymer P can for example be a polyolefin, in particular a polyethylene or a polypropylene).

In general, the plastic polymer P included in or constituting values capable of being secured according to the invention is preferably a polymer of hydrophobic or slightly hydrophilic nature, which can in particular be chosen from polyolefins, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene, PTFE, ABS, PET, PETE, polyacrylates, polyesters, and polystyrenes, and PVCs.

Particularly preferably, the "values made up of all or part by a plastic polymer "likely to be secured by the device of the invention are banknotes, bank cards or documents covered at least partially (and preferably completely) by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or banknotes, cards bank accounts, or documents made up in whole or in part by polypropylene, ABS, PET, PETE, polyacrylate, polyester, polystyrene, or PVC.

In the device of the invention, the rise in temperature generated within the enclosure is typically sufficient to induce at least partial melting of the polymer P, whereby the stored values or transported are rendered unusable by an irreversible modification of their physical state (destruction in whole or in part, total or partial fusion, deformation irreversible, agglomeration of values between them ...), in case of break-in or substraction.

In this context, it is generally preferable that the temperature damage within the enclosure following the triggering of generation means of heat is at least equal to 150 ° C., this temperature preferably being at least equal to 200 ° C; and advantageously at least equal to 250 ° C. However, this temperature can vary depending on the nature of the polymer P. Thus, when the polymer P denotes polypropylene, it is preferred that the temperature reached within the enclosure following the triggering of the means heat generation is at least of the order of 180 ° C to 220 ° C.

In order to ensure optimal security, we understand that it is desirable that the irreversible destruction or distortion of values take place on as quickly as possible. To do this, it is necessary that the elevation of the temperature within the enclosure takes place with the least thermal inertia possible. In this context, it is thus preferred that the means of generating heat be means capable of generating the required temperature rise within the enclosure in a period corresponding to a required "immediacy" by law, preferably less than or equal to 2 seconds, and preferably by a duration less than or equal to 1 second.

Therefore, most often, the means of heat generation implemented in the device of the present invention are means of generation of heat using a chemical reaction of a nature exothermic, which preferably has the highest possible kinetics.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the means of heat generation used in the device of the present invention use an addition of two reagents R1 and R2, it being understood that prefer that at least one of reagents R1 and / or R2 is a reagent in the liquid state or gas before the addition of the two reagents. Thus, the means of generation of heat used in the device of the present invention can in particular using the addition of two liquid reagents, preferably the sprayed state; the addition of a liquid (water for example), preferably in the state sprayed on a solid reagent; or even the reaction of a liquid reagent, preferably sprayed, and a gas (air for example). If applicable, reagents R1 and R2 in the liquid state are generally contained in tanks whose the opening is triggered by the control means in the event of an attempt of effraction, the compounds used in the gaseous state other than air can also be contained in such tanks. Solid reagents are to them generally present within the storage means in which the values are localized. Thus, in the event of an attempted break-in, the the invention can in particular release two reagents in the liquid state, which react between them, or even a single reagent in the liquid state, which reacts with a second reagent which is either in the form of a gas (air or gas released from a tank controlled by the control means) or in the form of a solid, this solid then being generally present initially within the means of storage, for example in the form of a coating of the walls.

• eau + pentaoxyde de phosphore
• eau + oxyde de calcium
• eau +orthophosphate de calcium
• eau + acide orthophosphorique
• acide sulfurique + hydroxyde de sodium
• eau + oxyde de baryum
• eau + peroxyde d'hydrogène
• eau + peroxyde de sodium
• eau + sulfure de sodium.

By way of nonlimiting exothermic reactions which can be used according to the invention, mention may in particular be made of the following reactions for adding reagents R1 + R2:

• water + phosphorus pentoxide
• water + calcium oxide
• water + calcium orthophosphate
• water + orthophosphoric acid
• sulfuric acid + sodium hydroxide
• water + barium oxide
• water + hydrogen peroxide
• water + sodium peroxide
• water + sodium sulfide.

In general, whatever the means of generation of heat used, the control means can in particular be type of those described in application FR 01 02 750.

• figure 1A : Vue en coupe d'un dispositif de sécurisation de valeurs selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• figure 1 B : Vue en élévation d'une partie du dispositif de la figure 1A ;
• figure 1 C : Vue en coupe de la partie du dispositif illustré à la figure 1B.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended FIG. 1, which shows:

• Figure 1A: Sectional view of a security device for securities according to one embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 1 B: Elevation view of part of the device of Figure 1A;
• Figure 1 C: Sectional view of the part of the device illustrated in Figure 1B.

FIG. 1A shows, by way of example of the invention, a device for security comprising bricks or bundles of securities made up of all or part of a plastic polymer P (groups of bank note bricks, bank cards or documents made of plastic or covered with material plastic in a container).

The enclosure or container (1) containing the chemical contains the values according to Figure 1C, to allow the dispersion of destructive products by simple gravity or by the effect of a blast generated for example by a pyrotechnic explosion. Depending on the configuration During the attack by the criminals, the tickets are placed under the tank and the solution spills on banknotes; where well the tank breaks and the banknotes fall into the tank. The device, confined in a transport container, avoids any evacuation outside the said container of fumes toxic or ecotoxic. The shape of the container can in particular be oblong.

The release of the chemical can be automatically triggered when a vehicle attack is detected by the sensors (shock, overturning, change of the normal trajectory ...) usually installed on the vehicle, either generated by an external command to the vehicle coming from a monitoring and remote surveillance center armored vehicles or manually.

The triggering by the automated system of the system allows a diffusion and the blast effect that separates the tickets. Exothermic causes thus the irreversible melting, melting or deformation of the polypropylene notes. The irreversible deformation of banknotes is governed by Law 0 of the thermodynamic.

The container (1) comprises one or more reservoirs (2). These tanks are preferably formed of frangible capsules (safety type glass or tempered glass or shock ABS for example), to allow good dispersion of the product (s) generating exotherm.

Figures 1B and 1C show part of the device according to the invention. One or more pyrotechnic trigger (s) (3) making it possible to generate a blast effect and break down the tank (s), which is connected to a system micro-programmed (4), itself connected to a Radio-Frequency circuit (5), incorporating a Radio Frequency antenna. The Radio-Frequency circuit works at the frequencies authorized by ART in France and authorized by organizations similar in other European countries.

The micro-programmed circuit (4), powered by one or more batteries or batteries (8) is made up of a micro-programmed card based on a micro-controller for example of the PIC 16C type or an industrial microcontroller similar, which controls the pyrotechnic release (s) (3) and the devices security (6) and (7).

An additional set of safety devices allowing the trigger in case of intrusion into the container including a mesh flexible printed circuit (6) and an opening detector (7) are connected to the system control - micro-programmed command (4).

The security device forms a target device for receiving signals for activating a monitoring and control device (not shown) on the diagram) which defines a security perimeter inside which the signals periodicals that it issues and whose period is configurable, activate the security, but outside of which, the security device no longer receives the activation signals via the Radio Frequency circuit (5), which causes actuation by the micro-programmed system (4) and actuation of the pyrotechnic release (3).

The control and command device is for example of the type described in French patent application n ° 01 02 750 filed on February 28 2001 by the plaintiff.

In the example just described, the following safety device the invention is considered to be applied to the transport of packets of tickets bank, securities, bank cards or documents related to plastic or covered with plastic.

It will however be understood that this device can also be used to ensure the security of storing documents or valuables in a storage unit located within the security perimeter defined by the device aforementioned control and command device, safety devices according to the invention being associated with packages of documents or securities stored in said cabinet.

So an attempt to exit unauthorized way, a packet of banknotes, securities, bank cards or related documents plastic or covered with plastic, outside the defined security perimeter by the control and command device, immediately causes the destruction of the contents of said package.

It will be understood that the security device according to the invention can also be applied to one or more packets of banknotes stored in a bin intended for the supply of an automatic cash dispenser.

Claims (16)

1. Device for securing securities constituted in whole or in part by a plastic polymer P, said device comprising a closed enclosure (1) provided with means for storing said values, associated with means for generating heat capable of generating, within of said enclosure, a rise in temperature sufficient to induce melting and / or at least partial deformation of the polymer P, said heat generating means comprising at least two reagents R1 and R2, of which at least R1 is initially in the state liquid, and the temperature rise by said heat generation means being triggered by control means in the event of detection of an attempt to break in or take out the enclosure (1). 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the reagent R2 is in the liquid state. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reagent R2 is in the solid state. 4. Device according to claim 3, in which R2 in the solid state is initially present within the storage means in the form of a coating of the walls. 5. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reagent R2 is a gas, preferably air. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means for spraying the reagents R1 and where appropriate R2 in the liquid state. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reagent R1 is water. 9. Device according to claim 8, in which R2 is chosen from phosphorus pentoxide, calcium oxide, calcium orthophosphate, orthophosphoric acid, barium oxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide sodium, sodium sulfide. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the reagent R1 is an acid. 11. Device according to claim 10, in which the acid is sulfuric acid. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the reagent R2 is a base. 13. Device according to claim 12, in which the base is sodium hydroxide. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the heat generation means are capable of generating the required temperature rise within the enclosure in a time less than or equal to 2 seconds. 15. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the values are banknotes, bank cards or documents covered at least partially by a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 16. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the values are banknotes, bank cards, or documents constituted in whole or in part by a polyolefin, ABS, PET, PETE , a polyacrylate, a polyester, a polystyrene, or a PVC. 17. Device according to claim 16, in which the polyolefin is a polyethylene, a polypropylene or one of their copolymers.

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