GB2480231A

GB2480231A - Enclosure for sheet documents including a sliding closure member

Info

Publication number: GB2480231A
Application number: GB1007329A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Wright; Ray Belcher
Original assignee: Cash Dynamics LLP
Current assignee: Cash Dynamics LLP
Priority date: 2010-05-04
Filing date: 2010-05-04
Publication date: 2011-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-04
Also published as: GB2480231B; WO2011138594A1; GB201007329D0

Abstract

An enclosure apparatus comprises a first frame 102 for use as a receiving port in an enclosure for storing sheet documents and a closing member 7. The apparatus has a first configuration in which sheet documents can be fed into the enclosure through an aperture 101 in the first frame and a second configuration in which the closing member 7 closes the aperture 101. The closing member 7 is movable in a first direction relative to the first frame 102 so as to adopt the second configuration and comprises a first locking member (14a, Fig 4) capable of engaging the first frame 102 at one or more of a plurality of locking points 112a spaced along the first frame 102 in the first direction so as to prevent movement of the closing member 7 in a direction opposite to the first direction. A second frame 103 may be provided to fix the first frame in position. The closure member 7 may have a release function to release the enclosure from cash handling apparatus. The enclosure apparatus is used as a low-cost, tamper-proof sealing means for a cash bag, or the like, in cash-in-transit (CIT) situations.

Description

ENCLOSURE FOR SHEET DOCUMENTS

This invention relates to apparatus for forming a receiving port in an enclosure for storing sheet documents, to an enclosure comprising such an apparatus and to methods of making such enclosures.

It is a common requirement of the retail and banking industries to be able to move cash from one place to another securely. This role is often handled by Cash-in-Transit' (CIT) companies. In a typical situation, a CIT company will collect cash from a retailer, load the cash into a suitable cross-pavement carrying case and load the container onto a fortified van for onward conveyance to a final destination. There are multiple opportunities for pilfering and tampering with cash between the cash tills at the retailer and the final destination.

We have developed a system for providing a cost-effective, tamper evident enclosure for cash. This system can be retro-fitted to existing cash handling equipment and uses a heat sealer to seal plastic bags into which cash has been deposited by the cash handling equipment. The system offers a means of securing cash, whereby any attempt to tamper with the enclosure after sealing will be immediately apparent. However, there are situations where the extra bulk and cost of a heat sealer are not acceptable.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising a first frame for use as a receiving port in an enclosure for storing sheet documents and a closing member, the apparatus having a first configuration in which sheet documents can be fed into the enclosure through an aperture in the first frame and a second configuration in which the closing member occludes the aperture, wherein the closing member is movable in a first direction relative to the first frame so as to adopt the second configuration and comprises a first locking member capable of engaging the first frame at one or more of a plurality of locking points spaced along the first frame in the first direction so as to prevent movement of the closing member in a direction opposite to the first direction.

Hence, the invention provides a way of forming a receiving port in an enclosure for sheet documents, such as a plastic bag, which can be sealed using the closing member without requiring a heat sealer. The cost and size of the sheet processing equipment with which the invention is intended to be used is therefore reduced.

Normally, the first locking member is capable of engaging the first frame at two or more of the plurality of locking points.

Typically, the closing member is linearly movable in the first direction.

The size and shape of the aperture will clearly depend on the application in question, and a variety of shapes are envisaged. However, it will typically be rectangular, the width of the aperture being determined by the size of documents to be collected in the enclosure. For example, if the documents to be collected are fed in a direction parallel to their long edge then the width of the aperture must be greater than the short edge of the documents.

Alternatively, if the documents to be collected are fed in a direction parallel to their short edge then the width of the aperture must be greater than the long edge of the documents. The height of the aperture must be greater than the maximum thickness of a bundle of documents, which it is desired to handle.

The first direction may be parallel to either the width or height of the aperture.

Preferably, the locking points are equidistantly spaced along the first frame.

Typically, the closing member further comprises a second locking member capable of engaging the first frame at one or more of the plurality of locking points.

The first and second locking members are normally spaced apart by the same distance as each adjacent pair of locking points. This ensures that both locking members engage with the first frame at the locking points simultaneously, thereby making it particularly difficult to withdraw the closing member when in the second configuration.

n one embodiment, the closing member is adapted to actuate a release mechanism in sheet document processing equipment to which an enclosure comprising the apparatus may be installed in use when in the second configuration, thereby releasing the enclosure from the sheet document processing equipment.

The use of multiple locking points is particularly beneficial in this embodiment because it is possible to ensure that at least one of the locking members has engaged with the first frame well before the release mechanism is activated. At this point it is impossible to withdraw the closing member without breaking it and it must be inserted further to release the enclosure. The user is thus committed to sealing the enclosure fully before releasing the enclosure making pilfering impossible.

If only one locking point were provided, it would be necessary to provide this towards the end of the travel of the closing member so that the closing member could not be withdrawn after activation of the release mechanism.

However, this presents a weakness because the alignment between the single locking point and the point of activation of the release mechanism becomes critical. It might be possible to manipulate the closing member and enclosure so that the release mechanism is activated slightly before the locking point has been reached by the locking member. In this case, the user could then withdraw the enclosure from the equipment without fully sealing the enclosure and could possibly access the cash inside without leaving any evidence.

In a first embodiment, the apparatus may form an integral part of a housing such that the receiving port is disposed in a side wall of the housing, the housing having an open end for attachment the open end of a bag.

Preferably, the housing further comprises an array of ventilation holes in a wall of the housing opposite to the open end of the housing.

The side wall of the housing is normally a wall lying orthogonal to the open end.

An enclosure for storing sheet documents may comprise apparatus according to the first embodiment and a bag attached to the open end of the housing by welding.

The bag may take a variety of forms, but it is typically a block-bottomed bag, the dimensions of the bottom being substantially the same as those of the open end of the housing.

In a second embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a second frame having an array of holes for receiving a corresponding array of pegs on the first frame, whereby the first and second frames may be fastened together.

The array of pegs is preferably adapted to be deformed by heat so that it engages with the second frame, thereby fastening the first and second frames together.

Alternatively, each of the array of pegs may have a clip which engages with the second frame, thereby fastening the first and second frames together.

In this case, the pegs will typically have a clip or clips as an integrally formed part. There will normally be two or more clips on each of the array of pegs.

As another alternative, each of the array of pegs may be adapted to receive a star washer which engages with the second frame, thereby fastening the first and second frames together.

In this case, each star washer has a set of teeth that project radially inwardly, thereby engaging with and gripping the pegs.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the first and second frames comprises a flange which engages with the periphery of a projecting rim on the other of the first and second frames. This provides a convoluted path for trapping a bag between the first and second frames, making it extremely difficult to tease the bag out from between the first and second frames.

An enclosure for storing sheet documents may comprise apparatus according to the second embodiment and a bag trapped between the first and second frames fastened together.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making an enclosure for storing sheet documents, the method comprising forming a bag with one closed end and one open end from a plastic material and welding the open end of the bag to a housing as defined with respect to the first embodiment of the first aspect.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making an enclosure for storing sheet documents, the method comprising forming a bag with one closed end and one open end from a plastic material; fastening first and second frames as defined with respect to the second embodiment of the first aspect together on either side of a side wall of the bag; and closing the open end of the bag.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an enclosure comprising the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of part of the first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of an enclosure comprising the invention; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of part of the second embodiment; and Figures 5 to 7 show three different techniques for fastening the face frame and a back frame together in the second embodiment.

Figure 1 shows an enclosure for collection and storage of banknotes and bundles of banknote. The enclosure comprises a housing 1 and a plastic bag 2. The plastic bag 2 is attached to the housing 1 by welding the two together so that an open end of the housing 1 is joined to the open end of the plastic bag 2. The plastic bag 2 will typically be of the block-bottom type (i.e. has a square or rectangular shape). The block-bottom will normally lie opposite to and have substantially the same dimensions as the open ends of the plastic bag 2 and housing 1. Thus, banknotes or other sheet documents fed through aperture 3 in the housing 1 will fall to the bottom of the plastic bag 2, where they collect. The depth of the aperture 3 is sufficient to receive bundles of banknotes rather than just individual banknotes.

The top of housing 1 is perforated with an array of ventilation holes 4. These allow the passage of air into the housing 1 (and hence the enclosure comprising housing 1 and plastic bag 2) as a banknote or bundle of banknotes fed through the aperture 3 falls vertically towards the bottom of plastic bag 2.

This is desirable because the falling banknote or bundle of banknotes could be a good fit to the interior of housing 1 and plastic bag 2 and act as a piston within the housing 1 and plastic bag 2 so that air cannot pass around the falling banknote or bundle of banknotes. This could cause the banknotes to flutter and fall in a chaotic, unpredictable manner (especially when single or loose bundles are introduced into the housing 1). The ventilation holes 4 stabilise the falling banknotes by allowing air to circulate around the banknotes through the top of the housing 1.

Another advantage of the ventilation holes 4 is that they allow ink released by a dye injection mechanism in a cross-pavement carrying case into the housing 1. The dye injection mechanism may be activated in the event of theft or attempted theft of the cross-pavement carrying case. It is important that the dye can pass through the housing 1 in some way as the rigid plastic from which the housing 1 will typically be made may not be penetrable by a normal dye injection mechanism, although the plastic bag 2 certainly will be.

The enclosure is intended to be fitted into an item of cash-handling equipment, such as a cash safe or cash recycling equipment. The equipment can then either feed banknotes or bundles of banknotes from a document transport through the aperture 3 or make the aperture 3 accessible to an operator for deposition of banknotes or bundles of banknotes.

The housing 1 has a pair of notches 5 and 6 for engagement by a retaining mechanism in the cash-handling equipment, the retaining mechanism thereby preventing the housing 1 (and hence the enclosure) from being withdrawn from the cash-handling equipment until the retaining mechanism is disengaged from the notches 5 and 6. The retaining mechanism will typically automatically engage with the notches 5 and 6 as the housing is inserted.

In order to disengage the retaining mechanism from notches 5 and 6, it is necessary to actuate a release mechanism. The release mechanism causes the part of the retaining mechanism that engages with notches 5 and 6 to withdraw, allowing the enclosure to be removed from the cash-handling equipment. The release mechanism is actuated by insertion of a cover slide 7 into the housing 1 through slots 8 and 9. A tab 10 at the end of the cover slide 7 protrudes through slot 9 and actuates the release mechanism so that the enclosure can be removed from the cash-handling equipment.

The provision of notches 5 and 6 with which a retaining mechanism can engage until released by a release mechanism as described ensures that the cover slide 7 must occlude the aperture 3 before the enclosure can be removed from cash-handling equipment in which it has been inserted. Cover slide 7 locks into place during insertion (as described below), thus ensuring that there is no possibility of pilfering during removal of the enclosure from cash-handling equipment. In fact, any attempt to access the contents of the enclosure after the cover slide 7 is in place will inevitably leave some evidence of tampering, which can be detected when the enclosure reaches its final destination. This is because it is necessary to destroy either the plastic bag 2 or the housing 1 or the cover slide 7 to access the contents once the cover slide 7 is in place.

The way in which cover slide 7 is inserted into housing 1 is best seen on Figure 2. In order to close the enclosure, cover slide 7 is slid into slot 8. Rails 11 a and 11 b in the cover slide 7 are constrained in grooves formed in guide members 12a and 12b so as to guide the cover slide 7 as it is inserted. When fully inserted, the tab 10 emerges through slot 9.

Notches 8a and 9a in slots 8 and 9 allow for the passage of a rib 1 2 on which two locking members 13a and 13b are located. The locking members 13a and 13b each have a catch 14a and 14b (not visible in Figure 2). When the cover slide 7 is inserted into the housing 1 through slot 8, the catches 14a and 14b will be deflected as they pass the guide members 12b. When they have passed a guide member 12b, they will spring back to their original position.

Thus, any attempt to withdraw the cover slide 7 will be resisted as the catches 14a and 14b bear against the guide members 12b. The locking members 13a and 13b and catches 14a and 14b are spaced apart by the same distance as each adjacent pair of guide members 1 2b. Thus, the two catches 1 4a and 1 4b engage with adjacent guide members 12b at the same time. This strengthens the locking of cover slide 7 in the housing 1. A tab 15 at the end of cover slide 7 ensures that it cannot be pushed all the way through the housing 1.

Figure 2 also shows a rim 16 around the bottom of housing ito which the plastic bag 2 may be welded to manufacture the enclosure.

The embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 makes for a robust enclosure for carrying and storing cash. However, the rigid housing 1 is both relatively expensive to manufacture and is bulky. In some situations this bulk is unacceptable, for example because it occupies a lot of room inside a cross-pavement carrying case, requiring more trips between a secure van and a premises from where cash is to be collected by a cash-in-transit company when it is required to securely move many partially-filled enclosures. The embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 overcomes these issues.

This embodiment comprises an enclosure comprising a plastic bag 100. An aperture 101 in the plastic bag is surrounded by a face frame 102 on the outside of the plastic bag 100 and a back frame 103 on the inside of the plastic bag 100. The assembly of the plastic bag 100, face frame 102 and back frame 103 is best seen in the exploded, cross-sectional view of Figure 4.

To make the enclosure, the top of the bag is first sealed. This will typically be done in a block (i.e. rectangular or square) format, and the sides may also be gusseted. The back frame 103 is then placed inside the bag and clamped to the face frame 102 on the outside of the plastic bag 100. The aperture 101 is then cut out, or alternatively it may already have been formed prior to clamping the back frame 103 and face frame 102 together.

As the face frame 102 and back frame 103 are clamped together, an array of pegs 104 in the face frame 102 engages with an array of holes 105 in the back frame 103. This ensures registration and alignment between the two parts and is used to hold them together, as described below.

The array of pegs 104 also pass through an array of holes 106 in plastic bag 100. These holes 106 prevent the plastic bag 100 from being teased out from between the face frame 102 and back frame 103 after assembly. These holes may be formed by the pegs as the face frame 102 and back frame 103 are brought together. Alternatively, they may be formed prior to assembly, and it is especially beneficial to do so when the aperture 101 is formed prior to assembly to ensure alignment between the plastic bag 100, the face frame 102 and the back frame 103 and to ensure that the aperture is correctly centred in the face frame 102.

As can be seen in Figure 4, a flange 107 on face frame 102 engages with the periphery of a rim 108 on back frame 103. This makes a convoluted path for the plastic bag to follow as it is trapped between the face frame 1 02 and back frame 103. Again, this helps to prevent the plastic bag 100 from being teased out from between the face frame 102 and back frame 103, thereby reducing the opportunities for pilfering.

The face frame 102 is provided with a notch 109 for engagement by a retaining mechanism in cash-handling equipment in which the enclosure is installed.

This has the same purpose as the notches 5 and 6 in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Again, it is released by the insertion of cover slide 7 through slots 11 0 and 111 as the tab 10 emerges through slot 111 to actuate a release mechanism in the cash-handling equipment.

The cover slot 7 is identical to the one used in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 and will not be described again. The same reference numbers have been used to denote the parts of the cover slide in Figures 3 and 4 as in Figures 1 and 2 as a result. In this case, the rails 11 a and 11 b on the cover slide are guided by grooves in guide members 11 2a and 11 2b as the slide is inserted. When the cover slide 7 is inserted into the face frame 2 through slot 110, the catches 14a and 14b will be deflected as they pass the guide members 11 2b. When they have passed a guide member 11 2b, they will spring back to their original position. Thus, any attempt to withdraw the cover slide 7 will be resisted as the catches 14a and 14b bear against the guide members 112b. The locking members 13a and 13b and catches 14a and 14b are spaced apart by the same distance as each adjacent pair of guide members 112b. Thus, the two catches 14a and 14b engage with adjacent guide members 11 2b at the same time. The slots 110 and 111 are provided with respective notches 11 Oa and lila to allow the passage of rib 12 in which the locking members 13a and 13b are located.

The enclosure made as shown in Figures 3 and 4 is lightweight, cheap to manufacture and can be very compact when partially-filled. This is because it is mainly constituted by the plastic bag 100, which can be folded up around any contents and behind the face frame 102 into a more compact shape. The minimum size constraint imposed by the housing 1 in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 does not apply in this case. This allows many partially-filled enclosures to be carried in the same cross-pavement carrying case.

Furthermore, because the vast majority of the enclosure is formed by plastic bag 100, which has a relatively thin gauge, the dye injection mechanism in a cross-pavement carrying case can easily penetrate the enclosure to ensure good coverage of the contents with dye.

Another benefit of the enclosure of Figures 3 and 4 is that since the plastic bag is not welded, any plastic bag 100 can be used. With the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, it is necessary to use a sufficiently thick plastic to make the bag so that it does not disintegrate or completely melt when welded.

Figures 5 to 7 show three different techniques by which the face frame 102 and back frame 103 may be fastened together during assembly. In Figure 5, a heat tool is pressed against each of the pegs 104 once they have passed through the holes 105. This may be done to each in turn or a special tool may be manufactured to heat all the pegs 104 together. The heat tool will need to be placed within the bag to reach the pegs 104, and conveniently can be part of the clamping press used to hold the face frame 102 and back frame 103 together. The application of heat for a short period melts the pegs 104 so that they deform to fill the holes 105 and to bear against the back edge of face frame 102. This prevents the face frame 102 and back frame 103 from separating.

In Figure 6, a star washer 114 is placed over each of the pegs 104 once they have been passed through the holes and whilst the face frame 1 02 and back frame 103 are clamped together. The star washers 114 have a set of teeth that project radially inwardly, thus gripping the pegs 104 and preventing them from being pulled back through the holes 105. The face frame 102 and back frame 103 are firmly clamped together in this way.

Figure 7 shows another variation, in which each peg 104 is provided with a pair of clips 115. The pegs 104 are manufactured so as to be a relatively tight fit in the holes 105 in this case. As the face frame 102 and back frame 103 are clamped together, the clips 115 deform so as to allow the pegs 104 to pass through the holes 1 05, but then recover so that any attempt to separate the face frame 102 and back frame 103 is prevented by the clips 115 bearing against the back edge of face frame 103.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus comprising a first frame for use as a receiving port in an enclosure for storing sheet documents and a closing member, the apparatus having a first configuration in which sheet documents can be fed into the enclosure through an aperture in the first frame and a second configuration in which the closing member occludes the aperture, wherein the closing member is movable in a first direction relative to the first frame so as to adopt the second configuration and comprises a first locking member capable of engaging the first frame at one or more of a plurality of locking points spaced along the first frame in the first direction so as to prevent movement of the closing member in a direction opposite to the first direction.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closing member is linearly movable in the first direction.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking points are equidistantly spaced along the first frame.
4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closing member further comprises a second locking member capable of engaging the first frame at one or more of the plurality of locking points.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first and second locking members are spaced apart by the same distance as each adjacent pair of locking points.
6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closing member is adapted to actuate a release mechanism in sheet document processing equipment to which an enclosure comprising the apparatus may be installed in use when in the second configuration, thereby releasing the enclosure from the sheet document processing equipment.
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus forms an integral part of a housing such that the receiving port is disposed in a side wall of the housing, the housing having an open end for attachment to the open end of a bag.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an array of ventilation holes in a wall of the housing opposite to the open end of the housing.
9. An enclosure for storing sheet documents comprising apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 and a bag attached to the open end of the housing by welding.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a second frame having an array of holes for receiving a corresponding array of pegs on the first frame, whereby the first and second frames may be fastened together.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of the array of pegs is adapted to be deformed by heat so that it engages with the second frame, thereby fastening the first and second frames together.
12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of the array of pegs has a clip which engages with the second frame, thereby fastening the first and second frames together.
13. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of the array of pegs is adapted to receive a star washer which engages with the second frame, thereby fastening the first and second frames together.
14. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein one of the first and second frames comprises a flange which engages with the periphery of a projecting rim on the other of the first and second frames.
15. An enclosure for storing sheet documents comprising apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 14 and a bag trapped between the first and second frames fastened together.
16. A method of making an enclosure for storing sheet documents, the method comprising forming a bag with one closed end and one open end from a plastic material and welding the open end of the bag to a housing as defined in claim 7 or 8.
17. A method of making an enclosure for storing sheet documents, the method comprising forming a bag with one closed end and one open end from a plastic material; fastening first and second frames as defined in any of claims 10 to 14 together on either side of a side wall of the bag; and closing the open end of the bag.