FR2846697A1 - Electro-pyrotechnic marker for bank notes has pyrotechnic charge to disperse fluid from sealed chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The electro-pyrotechnic disperser (1) for a bank note security marker or corrosive spray has a container with a sealed storage chamber (2) with outlets for the liquid. A pyrotechnic gas generator charge is provided fixed to the container and positioned so that the released gas is fed directly into the container.

Description

The present invention relates to fluid dispersing devices

  liquid used for example in the field of cash transport to denature and / or destroy securities such as banknotes or 5 credit cards, by releasing an ink or a

corrosive fluid.

  The denaturation of values contained in

  armored safes used during the transport of funds, by dispersion of a liquid fluid on said values, 10 has been the subject of several patents.

  Patent application WO 92/07159 describes an apparatus for dispersing a dye comprising two explosive charges between which is located a chamber in which a closed bag containing the dye is placed, said chamber having a central embrittlement zone. The simultaneous firing of the explosive charges leads to the chamber being pressurized, the sack containing the dye bursting and the embrittlement zone breaking. The dye can then escape through the opening formed after rupture

of the embrittlement zone.

  US Patent 5,537,938 relates to a device for denaturing, by ink projection, banknotes stored in an automatic dispenser. The ink 25 is stored in a pressure bottle fitted with a

  pyrotechnic cartridge, said bottle being hermetically sealed by means of a disc. The combustion of said cartridge causes said disk to rupture allowing the ink to escape through an outlet conduit.

  Patent FR 2 764 628 relates to a protective container intended for storing documents of value, provided with a denaturing system constituted by a detonating cord placed near a bulb 35 containing an indelible marking liquid. The firing of the cord leads to the bursting of the bulb with the main consequence, the deterioration of valuable documents by the combined action of the penetration of shards from the bulb, and marking with ink. Patent application WO 98/03758 describes a device intended to be incorporated in a container containing values. This device comprises an envelope compartmentalized into several chambers, one of these chambers receiving a first reservoir, another a second reservoir and a last one an actuator connected to detection means. The first reservoir, for example made of plastic, contains a coloring liquid such as for example an ink. The second tank contains a pressurized gas which can be released thanks to the actuator connected to the detection system. When the detection system detects an anomaly, the pressurized gas is released into the chamber in which the first tank is placed. The increase in pressure inside this chamber causes the first tank to burst. The dye can then escape through openings to be

  scattered over the values contained in the container.

  In this application, the release of the dye on the values can only be carried out after the bursting of the first reservoir containing the dye. This additional step lengthens the operating life of this device and can affect its proper functioning. In addition, the use of a gas reserve to eject the fluid to the outside makes this device rather bulky and very heavy. It may thus prove difficult to accommodate this device in bags or chests already well filled. In addition, most pressurized gas reserves are leaking and require frequent periodic checks. Finally, the relative complexity of this device, in particular due to the large quantity of components it contains, can make it

  difficult to manufacture and assemble in large series.

  The object of the invention is to overcome some of the 5 drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a liquid dispersing device which is simple, reliable without it being necessary to verify it.

  frequently, efficient, compact and easy to assemble.

  This object is achieved by a device 10 for dispersing a liquid fluid intended for denaturing values comprising a container delimiting a sealed chamber for storing said liquid fluid, a gas generator and means for evacuating the liquid fluid from the storage chamber, this device being characterized in that the gas generator is a pyrotechnic gas generator fixed to the container and located so that the gases which it generates are released directly into the

  liquid fluid storage chamber.

  According to a first alternative embodiment, the gas generator is housed in a wall of the container.

  According to a second alternative embodiment, the gas generator at least partially blocks a

container wall.

  According to a third alternative embodiment, the container has a protuberance at the top of which is fixed the pyrotechnic gas generator, this protrusion extending inside the storage chamber so that the gas generator

either in the middle of the liquid fluid.

  According to a feature of these three variants, the gas generator is covered with a protective cover

  disposed in the liquid fluid storage chamber.

  This protective cover will, for example, isolate the gas generator from the liquid fluid and therefore prevent the gas generator from being damaged if the liquid fluid is corrosive. The life of the device according to the invention may therefore be increased. According to another particularity, the means 5 for evacuating the liquid fluid from the storage chamber consist of at least one zone of

  embrittlement formed on the container.

  The ejection of the liquid fluid outside the storage chamber is therefore carried out after rupture of a wall of the container along this weakening zone. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container comprises a cap of cylindrical or frustoconical shape, elongated along a so-called longitudinal axis (A), having a side wall, closed at one of its ends, called the first end , and open at its other end, called the second end, and a plug supporting the gas generator and sealing

  the cap at its second end.

  According to a feature of this embodiment, the plug has an internal thread for screwing onto an external thread formed from the second end of the cap on a part of the wall

side of the cap.

  The device according to the invention is therefore of a simple and compact form. It consists of two main elements that can be easily manufactured

and assembled in large series.

  According to another feature of this embodiment, the side wall of the cap comprises at least one weakening zone constituting the means for discharging the liquid fluid from the storage chamber. According to another feature of this embodiment, the weakening zone consists of a

  thinning of the side wall of the cap.

  According to another feature of this embodiment, the weakening zone has an elongated shape. According to another particular feature of this mode of

  embodiment, the embrittlement zone extends over its length parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap.

  According to another particular feature of this embodiment, the device comprises three identical weakening zones distributed in a balanced manner

on the side wall of the body.

  According to the invention, these weakening zones are distributed over the side wall of the body so that the liquid fluid, ejected through the openings formed after rupture of the side wall along these weakening zones, can reach the greatest possible number of values located around the device. The operation of the device according to the invention is therefore very simple and does not require a preliminary stage 20 of bursting of a first reservoir nor the presence of specific means for ejecting the liquid out of the chamber. By placing the gas generator at the top of the protrusion and thus in the middle of the liquid fluid as described above in the third embodiment, this improves the efficiency of the device and the performance of radial dispersion of the liquid fluid through the openings formed after rupture of the side wall according to the zones of weakness. This therefore makes it possible to reach a greater number of values situated

around the device.

  According to another particular feature, the gas generator is an electro-pyrotechnic igniter comprising an ignition head containing a gas-generating pyrotechnic composition 35, this ignition head projecting at least partially inside the storage chamber of the liquid fluid. Therefore, the gases generated are released directly into the liquid fluid storage chamber and come directly into contact with the liquid fluid. This type of electro-pyrotechnic igniter is of the type used in automotive safety to initiate combustion a pyrotechnic charge contained in a gas generating device for inflating an airbag. They can therefore be manufactured easily and at

  reduced costs. It is therefore not necessary to develop a specific gas generator for the device according to the invention. This simplifies the manufacture of the device and also reduces its cost.

  The invention, with its characteristics and

  advantages, will emerge more clearly on reading the description made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

  Figure 1 shows in perspective the liquid fluid dispersing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows in longitudinal section the device for dispersing liquid fluid according to the

first embodiment.

  Figure 3 shows a top view of the liquid fluid dispersing device according to the

first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows in longitudinal section the device for dispersing liquid fluid according to a

second embodiment.

  The device 1, 1 'according to the invention allows the dispersion of a liquid fluid on valuables 35 for example on banknotes or credit cards stored in a container. This device 1, 1 'may in particular be placed in a container used during the conveyance of funds to transport valuables. The liquid fluid placed in the device 1, 1 '

  will for example consist of a corrosive fluid capable of destroying valuables such as banknotes or credit cards. The liquid fluid may also consist of an ink to allow an indelible marking of valuables.

  The terms "internal" or "external" as well as "interior" or "exterior" used below must be understood with reference to the storage chamber 2

  liquid fluid as defined below.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the device 1 for dispersing liquid fluid according to a first embodiment of the invention, consists of a container delimiting a chamber 2 for storing said liquid fluid and comprising two main parts. A first part of this container has the shape of a cylindrical cap, the axis of revolution of which is defined as its longitudinal axis (A). This cap 10 therefore has a side wall 100, an open end, called the lower end and a closed end, called the upper end. This cap 10 may also take a slightly frustoconical shape as shown in FIG. 1. With this frustoconical shape, the diameter of the cap 10 at its upper end is slightly less than that taken at its lower end. At its upper end 30, the cap 10 comprises a wall 101, called the upper wall, the external and internal surfaces of which are flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the cap 10. The cap 10 also has, from its lower end and over a certain length, an external thread 102 formed on the external surface

from its side wall 100.

  According to the invention, this cap 10 comprises a

  plurality of embrittlement zones 103a, 103b, 103c or incipient fractures formed on its side wall 100.

  These weakening zones 103a, 103b, 103c are for example three in number. They each consist, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, in a thinning of the side wall 100 of the cap 10. These weakening zones 103a, 103b 103c have for example an elongated shape, for example rectangular. They each extend 10 along their length, in the extension of the external thread 102 formed on the cap 10 to the edge delimiting the upper wall 101 of the cap 10. These three zones 103a, 103b, 103c are distributed in a balanced manner over the entire lateral wall 15 of the cap 10 so as to obtain a neutral thrust when the liquid fluid is ejected through the openings formed after the rupture of each of the weakening zones 103a, 103b, 103c. These weakening zones 103a, 103b, 103c are lateral so as to be able to obtain good dispersion of the liquid fluid and thus to reach as many values as possible.

around the device.

  A second part of the container consists of a cap 11 intended to be attached to the first part so as to close the open end of the

cap 10.

  This plug 11 has the shape of a hollow cylinder having a circular bottom 110 and a side wall 111. The outer surface 113 of the wall 30 forming the bottom 110 of the plug is substantially planar and perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the cylinder constituting the plug 11, this axis being defined as the axis of the plug. The wall forming the bottom 110 also has a greater thickness (e) on a part centered with respect to the axis of the plug 11. The protruding part resulting from this variation in thickness is located inside the chamber 2 when the cap it seals the cap 10 and has for example the shape of a truncated cone whose axis is coincident with the axis of the cap. This plug 11 has a thread 112 formed on the internal surface of its side wall 111 allowing the plug 11 to be screwed onto the external thread 102 formed on the cap 10. Once the plug 10 is screwed, the longitudinal axis (A ) of the cap 10 is coincident with the axis of the cap. This plug it has a central opening formed through the bottom 110 of the plug II over the entire thickness of the wall of the plug II at this location. This opening has an internal shoulder 15 forming an annular bearing surface. This annular surface separates the opening into an enlarged upstream part opening out of the chamber 2 and a

  downstream part opening into the interior of chamber 2.

  In this opening is housed and fixed a generator of pyrotechnic gas. This generator comprises a pyrotechnic charge generating gas and means for initiating this charge. The gas generator will, for example, be a gas microgenerator of the type used in automobile safety for inflating airbags. This microgenerator may take the form of an electro-pyrotechnic igniter 3 of the type used in automobile safety to initiate combustion with a pyrotechnic charge contained in a

  gas generator device for inflating an airbag.

  In known manner, an electropyrotechnic igniter 3 comprises a cylindrical body 30 supporting a system for initiating a pyrotechnic charge generating gas, this pyrotechnic charge generating gas being enclosed in a fragmentable metal case 31 coming to cap said body 30. In a variant, the case 31 may also be made of plastic. In this variant, the case may thus bathe directly in the liquid fluid even if the latter is corrosive. The initiation system 5 is connected for example to a source of electric current controlled by control means which can be manual or coupled to electronic detection means. According to the invention, this igniter 3 is housed 10 in the opening formed through the bottom 110 of the plug 11 so that the body 30 of the igniter 3 occupies the upstream part of the opening, the body coming to bear against the annular surface formed by the internal shoulder, and the metal case 31 occupies the downstream part, the metal case 31 having a part projecting inside the chamber 2 for storing the liquid fluid. The downstream part of the opening is of a diameter just sufficient to allow the case to pass

metallic 31.

  On the body 30 of the igniter is for example attached an external thread 300 to screw the igniter 3 onto an internal thread formed inside the opening, on the lateral surface of the part

upstream of the opening.

  The operating mode of a device 1 for dispersing liquid fluid according to this first mode of

achievement is as follows.

  When, on command, the current source delivers an electrical signal to the electro-pyrotechnic igniter 3, this causes the combustion of its pyrotechnic charge. The increase in pressure inside the metallic case 31 of the igniter causes the metallic case 31 to break up and, this metallic case 31 protruding into the chamber, the release of gases inside the chamber 2 of Il storage of the liquid fluid. The prolonged release of the gases in the chamber 2 causes the pressurization of the chamber 2 for storing the liquid fluid. The pressure of the liquid and the gases in the storage chamber 2 causes the rupture according to the zones of embrittlement

  103a, 103b, 103c of the side wall 100 of the cap 10 and thus, after rupture, the ejection of the liquid fluid out of the chamber 2 through the openings formed.

  The weakening zones 103a, 103b, 103c being lateral, the liquid fluid is ejected in all directions and can thus reach the greatest possible number of values located around the device

1 according to the invention.

  FIG. 4 represents a second mode of

  realization of the device according to the invention. In the description below made in connection with FIG. 4, the technical elements which are identical in the first and the second modes have kept the same reference numbers. However, the elements

  techniques which are different in the second embodiment compared to the first embodiment have

new reference numbers.

  This second embodiment consists in deporting the electro-pyrotechnic igniter 3 in the middle of the storage chamber 2 to be almost

  entirely surrounded by the liquid fluid.

  In Figure 4 is shown an alternative embodiment of the cap structure. However, the embodiment of the device described below and

  consisting in shifting the igniter in the middle of the liquid fluid can of course be applied regardless of the shape taken by the plug, that is to say that in a single part described above or that in two parts 35 which will be described below.

  According to this alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4, the cap 11 'of the container is composed of two parts. A first part of this plug 11 ′ consists of a discode plate 110 ′ closing off the lower end of the cap 10. This plate 110 ′ has a wafer 111 ′ along which a thread is formed. A second part of the plug 11 'consists of a ring 112' having an internal thread. This ring 112 'is threaded through the upper end 10 of the cap 10. The ring 112' has an internal shoulder 113 'and abuts by this shoulder 113' against a flange 104 'formed at the lower end of the cap 10. The plate 110 'has a diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the cap 10 taken at its flange 104'. The plate 110 'has a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the ring 112' so that it can be screwed onto the internal thread of the ring 112 '. According to this alternative embodiment represented in FIG. 4, the plug 11 ′ has, at the center of its wall 110 ′ discode closing off the lower end of the cap 10, a protrusion 114 ′ extending in the chamber 2 for storing the liquid fluid . This protrusion 114 'has the shape of a hollow cylinder, open at its two ends, standing perpendicular to the wall 110' of the plug 11 '. The igniter 3 is fixed to the top of the protrusion 114 'and seals the opening of the protrusion 114' at its top. This protrusion 114 'has a determined length so that the igniter 3 is located substantially in the middle of the cylindrical container. According to the invention, the opening of the protuberance 114 'at its end opposite its top, called the lower end, opens out to the container. The electric wires 32 'allowing the igniter 3 to be connected to the current source are passed through the lower end of the protrusion 114' then to

  inside the protrusion 114 '.

  According to the invention, by moving the igniter 3 in the middle of the container, the device 1 ′ has a higher efficiency and a better radial dispersion of the liquid fluid is obtained through the openings formed after the rupture of the side wall of the cap. 10 according to its embrittlement zones 103a,

103b, 103c.

  According to the invention, a flexible membrane or a plastic cover 4, 4 ′ can be placed in the storage chamber 2 to cover and isolate the igniter 3 from the liquid fluid contained in the rest of the storage chamber 2. This pastic cover 4, 4 ′ in particular makes it possible to avoid the igniter 3 from being damaged by the liquid fluid if the latter is corrosive. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, this plastic cover 4 comprises for example 20 an annular region 40 sandwiched between the plug 11 and the cap 10 when the plug 11 is screwed onto the cap 10. This plastic cover 4, under gas pressure resulting from the combustion of the pyrotechnic charge of the igniter 3, can tear or fragment to allow the gases to pass. Referring to Figure 4, this plastic cover consists of a cap 4 'coming

  cap the igniter 3 at the top of the protrusion 114 ′.

  In the case where the cap 10 of the device 1 has a slightly frustoconical shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the total length of the device 1 will be

  example of approximately 21 cm, the diameter of the upper wall 101, taken on the outside, will be 6 cm and that of the bottom 110, also taken on the outside, of 8.4 cm. The liquid fluid storage chamber 2 will thus have a volume of 350 cm3.

  It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present modes of

  embodiment should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified in the field defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (14)

claims   1. Device (1, 1 ') for dispersing a liquid fluid intended for denaturing securities comprising a container delimiting a sealed chamber (2) for storing said liquid fluid, a gas generator and means for evacuating the liquid fluid outside the storage chamber (2), characterized in that the gas generator is a pyrotechnic gas generator fixed to the container and located so that the gases which it generates are released directly into the chamber (2) liquid fluid storage. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas generator is housed in a wall of the container.   3. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas generator at least partially seals a wall of the container.   4. Device (1 ') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the container has a protuberance (114') at the top of which is fixed the pyrotechnic gas generator, this   protrusion (114 ') extending inside the storage chamber (2) so that the generator   pyrotechnic gas either in the middle of the liquid fluid.   5. Device (1, 1 ') according to one of claims 1 to   4, characterized in that the gas generator is covered with a protective cover (4, 4 ') arranged in   the liquid fluid storage chamber (2).   6. Device (1, 1 ') according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the means for discharging the liquid fluid from the storage chamber (2) consist of at least one weakening zone (103a,   103b, 103c) formed on the container.   7. Device (1, 1 ') according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the container comprises a cap (10) of cylindrical or frustoconical shape, elongated along a so-called longitudinal axis (A), having   a side wall (100), closed at one of its ends, called the first end, and open at its other end, called the second end, and a plug (11, 11 ') supporting the gas generator and closing off the cap (10) at its second end.   8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the plug (11) has an internal thread (112) for screwing onto an external thread (102) formed from the second end of the cap (10) on part of the side wall (100) of the cap (10).   9. Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the side wall (100) of the cap (10) comprises at least one weakening zone (103a, 103b, 103c) constituting the means for evacuating the liquid fluid outside the storage chamber (2). 10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the weakening zone (103a, 103b, 103c) consists of a thinning of the side wall (100) of the cap (10).   11. Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the weakening zone (103a, 103b, 103c) has an elongated shape.   12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the weakening zone (103a, 103b, 103c) extends over its length parallel to   the longitudinal axis (A) of the cap (10).   13. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to   12, characterized in that it comprises three identical weakening zones (103a, 103b, 103c) distributed in a balanced manner on the side wall (100) of the cap (10).   14. Device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the gas generator is an electro-pyrotechnic igniter (3) comprising an ignition head containing a gas-generating pyrotechnic composition.