FR2846699A1 - Disperser for liquid that destroys valuables in attempted theft has pyrotechnic gas generator and piston that pushes pouch of liquid against blunt-tipped perforator - Google Patents

Abstract

The liquid disperser consists of a container (10) with an inner supple pouch (4) holding the liquid (2), and an end plate (110) with a pyrotechnic gas generator that actuates a piston (13) so that it pushed the pouch against a blunt-tipped perforator (105). The perforator pierces the pouch, so that the liquid is dispersed through slits (107) in the sides of the container to render useless any valuables in the vicinity.

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.

  US Patent 5,537,938 relates to a device for denaturing, by ink projection, banknotes stored in an automatic dispenser. The ink 10 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 20 containing an indelible marking liquid. The updating

  fire 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 the marking by ink.

  These two patents disclose means of breaking the tank containing the liquid to be dispersed over the securities. However, the use in these patents of a bulb or a bottle for storing the liquid makes the device fragile, bulky or heavy. In addition, these devices must be particularly watertight because the liquid is poured directly into the bulb or bottle. In the prior art, it has also been proposed to condition the liquid in a closed flexible reservoir inserted as it is in the device. Thus, this facilitates the handling of the liquid and its positioning in the device and avoids any risk of liquid leaks

out of the device.

  Patent application WO 98/03758 thus 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 flexible plastic, is closed and contains a coloring liquid such as for example an ink. The second tank contains a pressurized gas 15 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 rise in pressure inside this chamber causes the first tank to burst. The dye can then escape through openings to be dispersed over the values contained in the container. Similarly, patent application WO 92/07159 describes an apparatus for dispersing a dye comprising two explosive charges between which is located a chamber in which is placed a closed bag containing the dye, said chamber having a central embrittlement zone . The simultaneous ignition of the explosive charges causes, by pressurizing the chamber, the bursting of the bag containing the dye and the rupture of the embrittlement zone. The dye can then escape through the opening formed after the rupture

of the embrittlement zone.

  In these two applications, the liquid fluid is released after a bursting of the reservoir or the bag, this bursting being obtained by pressurizing the chamber containing the reservoir or the bag. 5 In the first application, the use of a gas reserve for pressurizing the chamber 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 of the pressurized gas reserves are leaking and

  require frequent periodic checks.

  In these two requests, the bursting of the tank or bag only occurs when the chamber is sufficiently pressurized. The time necessary to obtain the bursting of the tank or bag can be more or less long depending on the resistance of the material constituting the tank or the bag. In these two patents, the rupture of the reservoir or of the bag is therefore not necessarily instantaneous. In order to achieve rapid rupture of the bag or tank, it may be necessary to employ a material of low resistance and which can easily rupture under the pressure of the gases contained in the chamber. In this case, however, the opposite effect, that is to say an untimely rupture of the bag or of the reservoir, can also occur during the

  handling of the tank or bag or when the device is impacted. In addition, the bursting of the bag or of the reservoir may prove to be insufficient or even impossible if the chamber leaks or if the pyrotechnic charge does not generate enough gas.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome some of the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a device for dispersing a liquid fluid intended for denaturing values which is light, compact and reliable without it being necessary to carry out periodic checks, solid, efficient and not requiring the use of a large amount of

  gas to release the liquid fluid from the device.

  This object is achieved by a device for dispersing a liquid fluid for denaturing values, comprising a container in which is placed a closed pocket filled with said liquid fluid, this container comprising means for discharging said liquid fluid 10 to the outside, and a gas generator whose gases

  generated emerge inside the container, this device being characterized in that it comprises a rupture device able to collaborate with the gases generated by the gas generator to cause the rupture of the pocket.

  According to the invention, it is therefore a question of using a specific device for rupturing the pocket to facilitate and accelerate its rupture and thus increase

the effectiveness of the device.

  According to one feature, the pocket is interposed

  between the rupture device and the gas generator.

  Thus, the gases generated will make it possible to compress the

  pocket against the breaking device.

  According to another particular feature, the rupture device consists of a blunt shape located at

inside the container.

  According to another particularity, the blunt form

  is formed on a wall of the container.

  According to another particular feature, the blunt shape 30 is obtained on an independent piece attached to

inside the container.

  According to another particular feature, the evacuation means consist of at least one opening formed through a wall of the container. The liquid fluid being packaged in a closed pocket, it is therefore not necessary for the container to be

completely closed.

  According to another particular feature, the device comprises a piston able to move in the container 5 and interposed between the gas generator and the bag, the opening formed through a wall of the container being located near the end position. of the piston in the container. The piston able to move under the pressure of the gases generated by the gas generator compresses the pocket against the rupture device, for example made up of the blunt shape. By thus placing the opening, all the liquid fluid initially contained in the pocket can

be ejected from the container.

  According to another particular feature, the pocket is wedged in the container between the piston and a wall of the container supporting the blunt shape and towards

  which the piston is able to move.

  In another feature, the container has an elongated shape along a so-called longitudinal axis.

  In another feature, the container has a side wall through which is

formed the opening.

  According to another particular feature, the container 25 has a plurality of openings distributed so

  balanced on its side wall.

  According to another particularity, the openings have an elongated shape and extend over their length,

  parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.

  According to another particular feature, the container consists of a hollow cylindrical case having a closed end and an open end and a plug supporting the gas generator and closing the case at its open end. According to another particular feature, the gas generator is an electro-pyrotechnic igniter comprising an ignition head containing a pyrotechnic composition

gas generator.

  According to the invention, compared with the prior art defined by patent WO 92/07159, the use of a simple electro-pyrotechnic igniter is sufficient to cause, in operation, the rupture of the pocket and the ejection of the liquid fluid out of the container. 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 produced 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

  manufacturing and also reduce its cost.

  The invention, with its characteristics and

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

  which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the liquid fluid dispersing device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid dispersing device

liquid according to the invention.

  Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 according to the invention allows the dispersion of a liquid fluid 2 on valuables, for example on banknotes or credit cards stored in a container. This device 1 may in particular be placed in a container used during the conveying of

funds to transport valuables.

  The liquid fluid 2 placed in the device 1 will for example consist of a corrosive fluid capable of destroying valuables such as banknotes or credit cards. The liquid fluid 2 may also consist of an ink for

  allow indelible marking of valuables.

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

defined below.

  The description given below with reference to

  Figures 1 and 2 is that of the device according to the invention 15 ready to operate.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 1 for dispersing liquid fluid according to the invention, consists of a container delimiting a chamber and comprising two main parts. A first part 20 of this container has the form of a case 10 of cylindrical shape, the axis of revolution of which is defined as its longitudinal axis (A). This case 10 has a side wall 100, an open end, called the lower end and a closed end, called the upper end. At its upper end 25, the case 10 comprises a wall 101, called the upper wall, the external 102 and internal 103 surfaces of which are planar and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A)

from the case 10.

  A second part of the container consists of a plug 11 intended to be attached to the first part so as to close the open end of the case 10. According to the invention, the chamber is therefore delimited by the case 10 closed by the plug 11. 35 Several variants of shape and construction of the plug 11 can be envisaged. One of these variants

  is described below in conjunction with Figure 2.

  According to this variant embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cap 11 of the container is made up of two parts. A first part of this plug 11 is made up of a discode plate 110 closing the lower end of the case 10. This plate 110 comprises a section 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 of the case 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 case. The plate 110 has a diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the case 10 taken at its flange 104. The plate 110 has a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the ring 112 so that it can be screwed onto the thread internal of the ring 112 once it has been threaded up to the lower end of the case 10. The discode plate 110 has a central part 114, projecting outwards, making it possible in particular to facilitate its gripping during its screwing onto the ring 112. According to a variant embodiment not shown, the plug may have a cylindrical shape open only at one of its ends and provided with an internal thread allowing it to be screwed directly onto a corresponding thread formed on the

side wall of the case.

  In the case 10 is placed a piston 13 able to move in the chamber and thus sealingly separating said chamber into a chamber, called upper 121a, located between the piston and the upper wall 101 of the case 10 and in a chamber, called lower 121b, located between the piston 13 and the plug 11. Initially and as long as the device 1 has not yet functioned, the piston 13 is held against the wall 110 discode of the plug 11 by a flexible pocket 4 occupying the upper room 12la. This flexible pocket 4 is filled with said liquid fluid 2. The volume of the lower chamber 121b is then almost zero. The piston 13 according to the invention is made up of a solid part comprising a cylindrical part, situated opposite the plug 11, according to which the piston 13 is capable of sliding in the case 10 and a converging part, slightly frustoconical, oriented towards the upper end of the case 10. The cylindrical part has an annular groove in which is housed an O-ring 130 making it possible to seal between the

  upper chamber 12la and lower chamber 121b.

  The pocket 4 is cylindrical in shape, occupies the space defined by the upper chamber 121a and is in abutment at one of its ends, called the lower end, against the piston 13 and at its opposite end, called the upper end, against the upper wall 101 of the case 10. Inside the upper chamber 121a, on the internal surface 103 of the upper wall 101 of the case 10, in the center thereof, is fixed a part 105 to blunt profile. The pocket 4, filled with liquid fluid 2 and wedged in the upper chamber 121a between the piston 13 and the upper wall 101 30 of the case 10, is therefore in contact with this part 105 with a blunt profile. As shown in FIG. 2, this part 105 with a blunt profile is for example fixed to a plate 106 itself fixed inside the case 10 on the internal surface 103 of the upper wall 101 35 of the case 10. The pocket 4 is for example made of flexible material, sufficiently resistant so that the device 1 according to the invention can be freely manipulated and subjected to shocks without the part 105 having a blunt profile causing untimely rupture of the pocket 4. The pocket 4 is for example made of plastic and is closed for example by heat sealing. According to the invention, the pocket 4 breaks when it is pressed against the part 105 with a blunt profile. The part 105 with a blunt profile may for example consist of a punch or a blade fixed on the internal surface of the upper wall, for example perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the case 10. According to the invention, the case 10 comprises a plurality 15 of openings 107 formed through its side wall 100. These openings 107 have for example an elongated shape, for example oblong and extend, along their length, parallel to the axis longitudinal (A) of the case 10. These openings 107 are distributed in a balanced manner over the entire side wall 100 of the case 10 so as to obtain a neutral thrust when the liquid fluid 2 is ejected from the case 10 These openings 107 are radial so as to be able to obtain good dispersion of the liquid fluid 2 and thus to reach as many values as possible.

  around the device 1. These openings 107 are formed on the side wall 100 of the case 10 so as to be located near the upper end of the case 10, that is to say near the position end of stroke of the piston 13 in the case 10.

  The plug 11 has a central opening formed through the disc 110 wall of the plug 11 over the entire thickness of the wall 112 of the plug 11 at this location. This opening has an internal shoulder 35 forming an annular bearing surface. This annular surface separates the opening 116 into an enlarged upstream part opening to the outside and a downstream part

  opening into the lower chamber 121b of the container.

  In this opening is housed and fixed a 5 pyrotechnic gas generator. This generator comprises a pyrotechnic charge generating gas and means for initiating this charge. The gas generator will for example be a gas microgenerator such as those used in motor vehicle 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 generating device for inflating an airbag. They can therefore be produced easily and at low cost.

  reduced. It is therefore not necessary to use gas generators developed specifically for the device according to the invention. This simplifies the manufacture of the device according to the invention and reduces its cost.

  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 covering said body 30. The initiation system 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 in the opening formed through the discode wall 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 35 against the annular surface formed by the internal shoulder, and that the metal case 31 occupies the downstream part, the end of the metal case 31 of the igniter 3 being initially located, that is to say before the operation of the device 1, opposite the piston 13. The downstream part of the opening is of a

  diameter just sufficient to allow the metal case 31 to pass. Alternatively, the case 31 of the igniter 3 may also be made of plastic.

  On the body 30 of the igniter is for example 10 an external thread 300 attached 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 the invention 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 rise in pressure inside the metal case 31 of the igniter causes the metal case 31 to break up and the gases to be released inside the lower chamber 121b of the case 10. Under pressure gases spreading in the lower chamber 121b, the piston 13 compresses the pocket 4 contained in the upper chamber 12la against the part 105 with a blunt profile located inside the case 10, at the upper end of the case 10. Under the gas pressure, the pocket 4 ruptures and releases the liquid fluid 2. The movement of the piston 13 is no longer hindered by the pocket 4, it moves under the action of the gases generated by the igniter 3 and spreading in the lower chamber 12 lb. The liquid fluid 2 is then ejected by the piston 13 through the radial openings 107. The radial openings 107 being located near the upper end of the case 10, at the end position of the piston 13, all the liquid fluid 2 initially contained in the pocket 4 can thus be ejected from the 5 container. The liquid fluid 2 is thus ejected from the container in all directions, which will make it possible to reach the greatest possible number of values.

  located around the device 1 according to the invention.

  According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the device does not have a piston and the compression of the pocket against the part with a blunt profile is carried out, when the device is operating, directly by the gases generated by the electropyrotechnic igniter. The pocket must thus be interposed between the igniter and the piece with a blunt profile so that the gases generated come directly into contact with the pocket to push it and compress it against the upper wall of the case on which the piece is fixed. at

blunt profile.

  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 embodiments should be considered as

  for 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) for dispersing a liquid (2) liquid for denaturing securities, comprising a container 5 in which is placed a pocket (4) closed and filled with said liquid (2) liquid, this container comprising means evacuation of said liquid fluid to the outside, and a gas generator whose generated gases open inside the container, characterized in that it comprises a rupture device able to collaborate with the gases generated by the generator gas to cause the pocket (4) to rupture. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (4) is interposed between the   rupture device and gas generator.   3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rupture device consists of a blunt shape located inside of the container.   4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the blunt shape is formed on a wall (101) from the container.   5. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the blunt shape is obtained on an independent piece (105) fixed inside the container.   6. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the discharge means consist of at least one opening (107) formed through a wall (100) of the container.   7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a piston (13) able to move in the container and interposed between the gas generator and the pocket (4), the opening (107) formed through a wall (100) of the container being located near the end position of the piston (13) in the container. 8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the pocket (4) is wedged in the container between the piston (13) and a wall (101) of the container supporting the blunt shape and towards which the   piston (13) is able to move.   9. Device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8,   characterized in that the container has an elongated shape   along an axis (A) said to be longitudinal.   10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the container has a side wall (100)   through which the opening (107) is formed.   11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the container has a plurality of openings (107) distributed so   balanced on its side wall (100).   12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the openings (107) have an elongated shape and extend, along their length, parallel   to the longitudinal axis (A) of the container.   13. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the container consists of a hollow cylindrical case (10) having one end   closed and one open end and a plug (11) supporting the gas generator and closing the case (10) at its open end.   14. Device (1) according to any one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the gas generator is an electro-pyrotechnic igniter (3) comprising an ignition head containing   a gas-generating pyrotechnic composition.