GB2235179A - Safe and bag therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A safe comprises a first opening 22 which is accessible to the depositor and a second opening 19 which is not; and a deposit envelope or bag 42 therefor comprises an opening bounded by a hinged flange 41, Fig 2, or by flange flaps (104, Fig 8). The flange or flange flaps are removably attachable to the outside of the first opening and inserted through the first opening which may be a slot 22. A slotted retaining plate 27 Fig 1 attaches the bag flange or flange flaps to the safe around slot 22. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY ENVELOPE AND SAFE Field of the Invention The invention pertains to security enclosures and more particularly to a safe which may be used in conjunction with a flanged security envelope.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a security envelope and a cooperating safe for businesses whose needs include a means for making deposits into an enclosure which is not otherwlse accessible to the depositors.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, a safe is provided which is characterized by a first opening which is accessible to the depositor and a second opening which is not. A deposit envelope or bag is provided which further comprises a container whose opening is bounded by a flange. The flange is both removably attachable to the outside of the first opening and insertable through the first opening or any suitable slot. A device is also provided for adapting a slotted container to receive the deposit envelope of the present invention.

In another embodiment, additional compartments are provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows in partial cross section, a multi-compartment safe fabricated according to the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a security envelope according to the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2a shows a cross section of the security envelope taken along line 2a-2a of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 shows a top plan view of the security envelope of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view of an opening to the safe of the present invention which is accessible to the depositor.

Fig. 5 shows in front elevation, the cover and anti-tampering flap shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows in front elevation the retaining plate depicted in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 shows in cross section, the retaining plate of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 depicts a plan view of a bag according to the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of attached bags in proximity to a plate adapter.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a plate adapter.

Fig. 11 depicts the use of a plurality of bags in conjunction with a single plate.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a plate adapter with locking cover.

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of a container utilizing a plurality of joint bags.

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view of a container employing the plate and locking cover of the present invention.

Best Mode and Other Embodiments of the Present Invention In order to meet the needs of businesses whose daily cash accumulations are preferably deposited, then collected later by professional security staff, a deposit envelope and cooperating safe enclosure are provided. In many instances, a security receptacle may be advantageously used incorporating only a single compartment with a lockable access and a slot having the envelope or bag retaining features taught herein. Where the particular needs include a secure source of daily cash or "float", a multi-compartment safe 10, as shown in Fig. 1 is provided.

The safe 10 is sub-divided into two interconnected compartments. An upper compartment 11 is used to make deposits of cash or other valuables, generally from within a business premises. The contents of the upper compartment 11 are only accessible through a fortified door 12 which is generally located on the outside of a building wall 13. As an optional feature, a lower compartment 14 is provided and is accessible from the business premises. A vertical passageway 15 is exposed to the upper compartment 11 when the fortified door 12 is open. A steel plate 16 is attached to the lower edge of the fortified door 12 and seals the vertical passageway 15 from the upper compartment 11 when the door 12 Is closed. In addition, an intermediate compartment 17 may be provided which is accessible from the business premises.

In more detail, the upper compartment 11 comprises a double walled steel enclosure 18 made in accordance with conventional safe making techniques. An opening 19 at one end of the enclosure 18 receives a fortified door 12 which is attached by hinges 20 to the enclosure 18. The opposite end 21 of the enclosure 18 includes a longitudinal slot 22 with a tapered opening 23 which is exposed to the upper compartment 11. A V-shaped ledge 24 is attached to the inside wall 25 of the upper compartment. A downward facing lip 26 of the ledge extends from the downward sloping lower wall of the opening 23. The ledge 24 acts as an "anti-fishing" device thwarting the removal of the contents of the enclosure 11 through the slot 22.

A retaining plate 27 is permanently affixed over the slot. As best depicted in Figs. 6 and 7 the retaining plate 27 includes a central opening 28 which corresponds to the size of the slot 23 in the upper enclosure 18.

An upwardly extending lip 29 forms a slot 30 which extends the length of the retaining plate. The opening 28 is flanked on both sides by T-shaped posts 31. A small peg 32 is provided centrally and slightly above the opening 28. A downward facing lip 33 forms groove 34 for receiving the tongue 35 of a locking device 36 on a closure 37 which is hinged to the enclosure 18 and which covers the retaining plate 27.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the closure 37 is attached to the enclosure 18 by a hinge 19 which allows the slot 23 to be accessed when the tongue 35 of the locking device 36 is disengaged from the groove 34. A hinged plate 38 is resiliently biased towards a closed position (as shown in -Fig. 4) in which it covers an enlarged opening 39 on the front face of the closure 37. When the upper compartment 11 is in service, the hinged plate 38 is rotated about the hinge 40 before the closure 37 is closed and locked. When the hinged plate 38 is folded down and the closure is closed and locked, the enlarged opening 39 allows access to the slot 23. The hinged plate 38 is large enough that when the closure 37 is closed, the plate will be maintained in either the open or closed position, but can not be changed unless the closure is unlocked and rotated away from the safe.

The retaining plate 27 is especially adapted to receive the flange 41 of a specially adapted security envelope or deposit bag 42, as depicted in Figs. 2, 2A and 3. The envelope 42 includes a bag portion 43 which preferably includes accordion pleated sides 44. The opening 45 of the expansible bag is attached about its perimeter to a semi-rigid flange 41.

The flange is preferably made from heavy cardboard, plastic sheet or a fibre reinforced polymer. The flange 41 includes a central opening 46 and an integral hinge 47. A series of small upstanding spikes 48 are formed on the lower lip 49 of the flange, while a series of openings 50 are formed opposite the spikes 48 on the upper half of the flange. The openings 50 are partially occluded by opposing flaps 51. When the upper and lower halves of the flange 41 are folded together along the hinge 47, the spikes 48 can be forced through the openings 50 whereupon they are retained by the opposing flaps 51, thus serving to seal the envelope 42. The lower edge 52 of the flange 41 fits within the slot 30 formed on the bottom of the retaining plate. A small keyhole shaped opening 52 formed on the upper half of the flange 41 engages the pin 32 located on the retaining plate 27.The lateral edges 53 of the flange are retained by the L-shaped posts 31 of the retaining plate. A somewhat simplified and more economical security envelope or deposit bag is later described with reference to Figs. 8, 9, 11 and 13.

As shown in Fig. 3, the accordion pleated sides 44 of the envelope 42 can be folded towards one another, so that empty envelopes can be conveniently stored and transported.

It will be understood that a variety of flange engaging means may be incorporated onto the retaining plate 27 or may be affixed directly onto the safe were a separate retaining plate is not used.

In more detail, the lower compartment 14 comprises a steel enclosure 54 which is accessible from the business premises by a locking door 55 which is attached to the enclosure by hinges 56. The bottom of the enclosure may be lined with a rubber, sponge or other soft polymeric material 57. Bolts 59 are provided for attaching the multi-compartment safe 10 to the floor 60. Access holes 58 for the bolts are provided In the liner material 57. The bolts are serviced from through holes 70 formed in the top surface of the enclosure 54. The bottom compartment 14 is adapted to receive a tray 61 having a sloping rear wall 62. The tray is adapted to hold a portion of the business's operating cash and is able to receive coins, cash or other valuables which may be supplied through the vertical passageway 15 when the fortified door 12 is open.When the vertical door 12 is closed, the steel plate 16 covers the opening between the vertical passageway 15 and the upper enclosure 11, thus preventing access to the upper compartment 11 from the lower compartment 14. The floor liner 57 deadens the noise which may be caused by coins or other heavy objects being dropped through the vertical passageway 15.

An intermediate compartment 17 is located between the upper compartment 11 and the lower compartment 14. The intermediate compartment 17 is accessible by a door 63 which is attached to the upper periphery of the lower enclosure 54 by a hinge 64. The intermediate compartment 17 is intended to be used to store accounting information, receipts or small amounts of cash.

The operational cycle of an empty multi-compartment safe is described as follows. For the purposes of this example, it will be assumed that the exterior fortified door 12, lower compartment door 55 and slot covering door 37 are all closed and locked. There is no security envelope 42 in the upper compartment 11 and therefore the hinged plate 38 is in the up position, covering the slot 22. To begin to use the upper compartment for deposits, the cover 37 is unlocked and opened. A folded envelope, as shown in Fig. 3, is inserted into the slot 22. The lower edge 52 of the flange is inserted into the lower slot 30 of the retaining plate 27 while the keyhole opening 52 is placed over the peg 32 and secured. Lodging the flange between the posts 31 firmly attaches the flange to the retaining plate 27. At this point, the hinged plate 38 is folded down and the closure 37 is closed and locked.This provides an opening 39 through which deposits can be made into the envelope 42. The expansion of the accordion pleated sides 44 when deposits are made prevents the envelope from being withdrawn from the upper compartment 11, even if the cover 37 is breached.

The anti-fishing device 24 prevents the contents of the upper compartment 11 from being withdrawn by a "fishing" tool such as a long wire or other probe. When deposits into the envelope 42 are complete, the closure 37 is unlocked and opened. The upper and lower lips of the flange are folded along the hinge 47 and the spikes 48 are inserted and secured into the apertures 50. Once the flange is closed, the entire flange is inserted into the slot 22 and is no longer accessible from the slot 22. Elther another envelope can be inserted into the slot and its flange attached to the retaining plate, or the closure 37 can be closed and locked with the cover plate 38 in the upright position thus barring access to the slot.

Envelopes 42 which have been completely inserted into the upper compartment 11 can only be accessed through the outer fortified door 12, generally by security personnel. Opening the outside door 12 accesses the upper compartment 11 and because the plate 16 is attached to the door 12, allows operating cash, coins, or other valuables to be deposited into the lower compartment, through the vertical passageway 15, by the security personnel. In this way, the business depositors or operators will have access to a controlled amount of operating cash through the lockable door 55 to the lower compartment 14. The sound of such deposits through the vertical passageway 15 is deadened, owing to the lining material 57 in the lower compartment 14.Of course, the lockable intermediate compartment 17 provides an additional securable space to the business operators, as required.

A second embodiment of the deposit envelope 100 of the present invention ts depicted in Fig. 8. The bag 100 preferably consists of two equal and overlying sheets of transparent plastic. The bag is characterized by a neck portion 101 which is intended to fit through the opening slot of a safe or security device. If edge sealed, the edge seals 1 and 2 extend only part of the way up the neck 101. Thus, the top of the bag 103 forms two similar flaps 104, each characterized as having one or more openings 105. In a preferred embodiment, two openings 105 are provided on each lateral end of the flap 104. However, any number of openings may be conveniently provided on each flap 104. Because the edges 106 of the flaps are unsealed, they may be folded back along a fold line 107 to expose the opening of the bag.To increase the capacity of the bag, wing like extensions 108 may be provided. The wings 108 may be folded toward the centre portion 109 for insertion through a slot which is narrower than the width of the unfolded bag. The bag 100 may also be provided with an adhesive seal 110. The seal 110 would be covered with release paper until such a time as it was desired to seal the bag 100.

As shown in Fig. 9, a plurality of bags 100 could be joined together and connected by a numbered seal 111. The bags could then be inserted through a specially adapted face plate 112.

As depicted in Fig. 10, the face plate 112 consists of a rigid, preferably metallic plate 113 having a slot 114 and pegs 115 located both above and below the slot 114. The pegs 115 are adapted to engage the openings 105 formed in the flanges 104 of the bags. Each peg 115 is preferably equipped with an expanded head portion 116 for restraining the flanges. The plate 112 can be affixed or adhered to an enclosure and thus adapt that enclosure to receive the bags of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 11, a plurality of bags can be stored on bottom pegs 116. The bag in use has one of its two flange flaps attached to top pegs 117. When deposits are no longer required into the bag in use, the flange portions 104 are removed from the pegs 116, 117 and the release paper is removed from the seal 110. This allows the bag to be sealed and deposlted fully and irretrievably into the slot 114. The top flange flap from the next bag is then positioned over the top pegs 117 whereupon deposits into the next bag can begin.

As shown in Fig. 12, the plate 112 can be optionally equipped with a hinged cover 118. This cover is much the same as the hinged cover depicted for example in Figs. 1 and 4. The cover may include as optional features a resiliently biased security flap 119 and a bag engaging foot 120. As previously mentioned, the hinged security flap 119 allows the slot 114 to be covered and locked, if required. The bag engaging foot 120 is for frictionally engaging the top flange flap of a bag, thereby further reducing the possibility of tearing the openings 105. The cover 118 is of course lockable and fabricated from a rigid and tamper resistant material.

Fig. 13 depicts the arrangement suggested in Fig. 11 whereby a plurality of bags are held in place, but whereby only one bag at a time is used for deposits. As shown in that figure, used and sealed bags 121 can not be accessed for further deposits.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross section depicting some of the preferably features of the security plate and cover of the present invention. It will be understood that this arrangement is adaptable either to the security enclosure of the present invention or to practically any container having a suitable slot. Fig. 14 clearly depicts the lock 122 and clasp 123 as well as the plate 112 with pegs 115, hinged and resiliently biased security flap 119, bag engaging foot 120 and an optional friction pad 121 for facilitating the pressure exerted by the foot 120 onto the bag. Also shown is a rubber pad 122 for improving wear and noise reduction and a "V" shaped anti tampering device 123 located adjacent the container opening 124.

With particular reference to the bags of the present invention of the type depicted in Figs 8 and 9 it will be understood that they may be formed in a variety of methods. As shown in Fig. 8, bags may be formed by edged sealing similar or identical sheets of preferably transparent plastic.

Where edge seals 102 are employed, it is important that the seals not extend to the extreme top edge 125. The absence of the edge seal along the lateral edges 106 allows the flange flaps 104 to be pealed back away from one another thus forming a convenient flange and exposing the opening of the bag which is approximately co-linear with the fold line 107. However, it is envisioned that bags made in accordance with the present invention can be made using a variety of conventional bag forming techniques. For example, tube stock can be formed into a bag by sealing a bottom portion of the tube and leaving a top opening. In this type of arrangement, slots will have to be formed adjacent the bag opening so that opposed flange flaps may be provided.It will also be understood that the peg engaging openings 105 may be provided in a variety of shapes and configurations, both reinforced and unreinforced. Similarly, the peg engaging openings 105 can be replaced with a variety of substitute or equivalent means. For example, adhesives, magnets, portions of hook and loop type fasteners or mechanical clips, eyelets or snaps can be used in place of the openings 105. It is even possible to dispense altogether with the openings or equivalent means in the advent that a fastening system such as a clamp device is a fixed or attached to or provided adjacent the slot opening where the flange flaps 104 will be attached.

While the invention has been descrlbed with reference to particular examples, embodiments, materials and methods of construction, it should be understood that these are provided by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope or spirit of the invention. In particular, a multi compartment safe has been used as an exemplary embodiment, but it should be understood that the upper compartment, closure, retaining plate and fortified door may be advantageously used with the flanged security envelope disclosed herein, without one or both of the addltlonal compartments if they are not needed.

Claims (31)

CLAIMS:

1. A security deposit bag comprising: a bag having an opening between two opposed flange flaps.

2. The deposit bag of claim 1 wherein each flange flap has formed therein one or more apertures, each aperture adapted to engage a peg.

3. The deposit bag of either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the flange flaps are symmetrical.

4. The deposit bag of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the bag is formed from edge sealed sheets, the edge seal extending around a periphery of the bag except for unsealed opposed portions adjacent a top of the bag, the unsealed portions defining the flange flaps.

5. The deposit bag of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein one of the flange flaps bears an adhesive seal on an interior surface.

6. The deposit bag of claim 1 wherein each flange flap bears on an exterior surface, a means for removably attaching itself to a slotted plate so that the bag extends into the slot.

7. A plate for adapting a slotted depository to receive security deposit bags having opposed flange flaps, the plate comprising: a plate having a deposit slot and means, both above and below the slot for releasably engaging the flaps.

8. The plate of claim 7 wherein each means comprises one or more pegs.

9. The plate of claim 8 wherein each peg has formed therein an expanded head portion.

10. The plate of any of claims 7 to 9 further comprising a hinge locking cover, the cover having formed therein a second slot, which when the cover is closed, allows access to the deposit slot.

11. The plate of claim 10 further comprising a bag engaging foot formed on an interior portion of the cover.

12. The plate of either of claims 10 or 11 further comprising a hinged flap affixed to an interior portion of the cover, the flap hinge extending parallel to the second slot whereby the flap has a closed position in which the second slot is covered.

13. A safe for mounting in a wall, where a first side of the safe is exposed to a bullding interior and a second side of the safe is exposed to a building exterior, the safe comprising: an upper compartment having a fortified door located on said first side and a first slot located on said second side; the slot having means located above and below it for engaging a flange of a deposit bag and which fits through the slot.

14. The safe of claim 13 wherein each means for engaging the deposit bag comprises one or more pegs.

15. The safe of claim 14 wherein each peg has an expanded head portion.

16. The safe of claim 13 wherein tjie means for engaging the deposit bag comprises four pegs, each having an expanded head portion and provided in pairs, one pair above the slot and one pair below the slot.

17. The safe of any of claims 13 to 16 further comprising: a lower compartment having an access door on the first side and interconnected with the upper compartment by a vertical passageway.

18. The safe of claim 17, further comprising a metallic plate attached to the fortified door, which plate occludes the vertical passageway when the fortified door is closed.

19. The safe of either of claims 17 or 18 further comprising an intermediate compartment with access from the first side.

20. The safe of any of claims 13 to 19 further comprising an anti-fishing device located within the upper compartment adjacent the slot.

21. The safe of any of claim 13 to 20 further comprising: a cover over the slot, the cover having a second slot through which the first slot may be accessed; a lock which is engageable with the first side and a flap having an open and a closed position; the flap covering the second slot in the closed position and exposing the second slot in the first position and un-openable when the cover is locked with respect to the first side of the safe.

22.A security envelope comprising: a bag having an opening; the opening attached to a flange, the flange having a central opening allowing access to an interior portion of the bag and further comprising a means for sealing the bag.

23. The security envelope of claim 22 wherein the flange includes a hinged portion which sub-divides the bag into first and second flange portions which portions bear said means for sealing the bag.

24. The security envelope of claim 23 wherein the means for sealing the bag further comprises one or more spikes formed on the first flange portion and cooperating receiving apertures formed in the second flange portion.

25. The security envelope of claim 23 wherein the means for sealing the bag comprises an adhesive seal.

26. A security recepticle comprising: a container having a deposit slot and a lockable door, the slot having located thereabout means for releasably securing a flange of a deposit bag disposed within the deposit slot.

27. The receptacle of claim 26 further comprising a hinged, cover lockable with respect to the receptacle and adapted to in case the deposit slot and means for releasably securing the flange, the cover further comprising a second slot through which the deposit slot may be accessed.

28. The receptacle of claim 27 further comprising a hinged flap located within the cover and having an open position in which the second slot is exposed and a closed position in which the second slot is covered, and whereby the flap is immovable from one position to the other when the cover is locked with respect to the receptacle.

29. The receptacle of any of claims 26 to 28 wherein the means for releasably securing a flange of a deposit bag comprises a plurality of pegs located above and below the slot.

30. The receptacle of claim 29 wherein the pegs are provided with expanded head portions.

31. The receptacle of any of claims 26 to 30 further comprising an anti-flshing device located within the container adjacent the deposit slot.