GB2500650A

GB2500650A - Fluid Mixer in a Secure Container

Info

Publication number: GB2500650A
Application number: GB1205467.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Mills
Original assignee: Spinnaker International Ltd
Current assignee: Secure Innovation Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-28
Filing date: 2012-03-28
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Also published as: GB201205467D0

Abstract

A mixer comprising a deflector means for deflecting fluid from first and second inlets 28, 30 towards a mixing chamber 50, the mixer being configured to cause the fluids from the inlets to follow a spiral path to promote mixing. The deflector means may comprise generally triangular, opposed ramps 52, 54 directing the fluid towards a curved inner wall of the mixing chamber. The fluids may be stored in first and second reservoirs having respective pressurising means to dispense the fluids. The mixer may have multiple outlets 32, 34 attached to spray bars, injector needles or the like for dispensing the mixed fluid. The mixer may be part of a fluid dispensing system which is automatically operated on sensing tampering with a container in which the system is placed, for example a secure container carrying bank notes, the fluid comprising ink or a bonding agent to spoil the bank notes. A transmitter may also be adhered to the notes on activation.

Description

A FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present application relates to a fluid dispensing system, and in particular to a fluid dispensing system for use in a secure container, such as a cash in transit container or the like, for dispensing a fluid marking or degrading agent onto valuable itcms.

Back2round to the Invention To deter would-be thieves of bank notes and other valuable items in transit, it has become commonplace for such valuable items to be stored and transported in secure containers that include spoiling systems which release a spoiling or degrading agent such as an indelible dye or ink or an adhesive onto the contents of the container in the cyent of a theft or other incident involving the secure container. The degrading agent has the effect of rendering the contents of the secure container worthless and unusable, for example by indelibly staining the contcnts, or by adhcring the contents to one another or encasing them in a solid block.

In the past indelible dyes or inks were commonly used as the degrading agent in containers of thc kind dcscribcd abovc, particularly in the cash in transit industry.

However, it has been found that in certain situations, such as the low-light environment of a nightclub, stained notes may go unnoticed and may thus be used. Additionally, automated macMiles such as car park payment machines sometimes do not recognise that notes stained in this way are invalid, and may accept such notes, thereby providing an outlct for use of stained notcs.

To combat this possibility, in recent times the cash in transit industry in particular has moved towards systems which use adhesives as spoiling or degrading agents to cause bank notes or othcr valuable items to be adhered to one another in the event of a theft or other incident, thereby rendering the items worthless and unusable.

Such systems often use multi-part degrading agents (e.g. two part adhesives), with the different parts of the degrading agent being stored separately, and mixing with each other after being dispensed onto the items to be degraded to spoil or degrade the items. This approach has its own disadvantages, however, as the mixing of the separate parts of the degrading agent on the items may can be inefficient, and may result in insufficient degradation of the items.

Summary of Invention

The present application relates to a fluid dispensing system for use in a system and secure container for secure transport or storage of valuable items such as bank notes. The fluid dispensing system has first and second reservoirs for storing first and second fluids, and a mixer in which the first and second fluids are mixed beforc being dispensed through one or more dispensers. The first and second fluids may be first and second parts of a non-reversible bonding agent, and the secure transport and storage system may further include a transmitter unit which is received in the secure container such that on activation of the fluid dispensing system the transmitter unit becomes bonded to the valuable it ems, thereby facilitating tracking of the valuable items.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid dispensing system comprising: a first reservoir for storing a first fluid; a second reservoir for storing a second fluid; a mixer for mixing the first and second fluids, the mixer being in fluid communication with the first and second reservoirs and comprising a fir st inlet, a second inlet and a mixing chamber, and further comprising deflector means for deflecting fluid received at the first and second inlets towards the mixing chamber, the mixer being configured to cause the first and second fluids entering the mixing chamber from the first and sccond inlets to follow a substantially spiral path to promote mixing of the first and second fluids.

The mixer of the fluid dispensing system introduces a substantially spiral flow path into the first and second fluids, which promotes mixing of the first and second fluids such that the resulting fluid mixture leaving the mixer is substantiafly uniform, i.e. the two fluids are substantially completely mixed in the resulting mixture.

The mixing chamber may have a curved inner wall which imparts a spiral motion to the fluid in the mixing chamber.

The deflector means may comprise first and second ramps positioned in inlet paths to the mixer.

The fist and second ramps may be positioned in an opposed relationship to each other Lower ends of the ramps may be laterally offset with respect to each other The mixer may have a plurality of outlets The inlets of the mixer may be substantially coaxial, and the mixing chamber may be substantially orthogonal to the inlets.

The first and second fluids may be first and second parts of a non-reversible bonding agent.

One or both of the first and second fluids may comprise one or more of: a dye; an ink; and a unique marking agent.

According to a sccond aspect of the invention there is provided a mixer comprising a first inlet, a second inlet and a mixing chamber, and further comprising deflector means for deflecting fluid received at the first and second inlets towards the mixing chamber, the mixer being configured to cause the first and second fluids entering the mixing chamber from the first and second inlets to follow a substantially spiral path to promote mixing of the first and second fluids.

The mixer may fUrther comprise any of the describe above in relation to the fluid dispensing system of the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a secure container for transporting or storing valuable items, the secure container comprising a detection system and a fluid dispensing system according the first aspect of the invention, wherein the detection system is configured to activate the fluid dispensing system on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container so as to dispense a spoiling agent onto the contents of the secure container.

The degrading agent may be a non-reversible bonding agent.

The non-reversible bonding agent may be a liquid based on methacrylate monomers which is cured via free radical polymerisation.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a system for secure transport or storage of a valuable item, the system comprising a secure container, the secure container having an enclosure for receiving the valuable item and a dispensing system operative to dispense a non-reversible bonding agent into the enclosure on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container.

The system may further comprise: a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being configured to transmit a signal permitting location of the transmitter unit on detection of unauthoriscd interference with the secure container, wherein the transmitter unit is received in the enclosure of the secure container, such that on activation of the dispensing system the transmitter unit becomes bonded to the valuable items.

Alternatively, the system may ftirther comprise: a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being configured to transmit a signal permitting location of the transmitter unit on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container; and a sealable bag, the sealable bag being configured to receive the secure items, wherein the transmitter unit is received in the sealable bag, such that on activation of the dispensing system the transmitter unit becomes bonded to the valuable items.

The transmitter unit may be configured to receive a signal from the secure container on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container and to transmit the signal permitting location of thc transmitter unit on receipt of the signal from thc secure container.

Alternatively, the transmitter unit may further comprise a temperature sensor which is operative to trigger the transmission of the signal permitting location of the signal from the secure container when a temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predefined level indicative of an exothermie curing reaction of the non-reversible bonding agent.

A fifth aspect of the present invention consists in use of a non-reversible bonding agent as a degrading agent in a secure container for storage or transport of valuable items.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a secure container; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a fluid dispensing system suitable for use in the secure container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a mixer used in the fluid dispensing system of the apparatus of claim 1; and Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a secure container with a transmitter unit.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring first to Figure 1, a secure container of a type suitable for use in storing and transporting valuable items such as bank notes is shown generally at 10. The secure container 10 has an outer case 12 which defines an enclosure 14 in which valuable items such as bank notes can be received for storage or transportation.

The secure container 10 is provided with a spoiling system which is configured to dispense a spoiling or degrading agent into the enclosure 14 in the event that a detection system of the secure container 10 detects events that can be interpreted as an attempted theft of or other unauthorised interference with, the secure container 10. Such detection systems are well known to those skilled in the art and thus will not be described in detail here.

Turning now to Figure 2, a fluid dispensing system suitable for use as part of the spoiling system of the secure container 10 of Figure 1 is shown generally at 20. The fluid dispensing system comprises a first reservoir 22 for holding a first fluid and a second reservoir 24 for holding a second fluid. Where the fluid dispensing system 20 is used as part of a spoiling system of a secure container 10, the first and second fluids may be degrading agents or parts of a degrading agent. For example, the first reservoir 22 may hold a first part of a two-part non-reversible bonding agent, with the second part of the two-part non-reversible bonding agent being held in the second reservoir 24.

The first reservoir 22 is connected to and in fluid communication with a first inlet port 26 of a mixer 28 by means of a tube or conduit, whilst a tube or conduit similarly connects the second reservoir 24 to a second inlet port 30 of the mixer 28. The mixer 28 in this example has first and second outlet ports 32, 34 which are connected to and in fluid communication with first and second fluid dispensers 36, 38, which maybe, for example, spray bars, injector needles or any other suitable fluid dispenser. In an alternative embodiment the mixer 28 may have only a single outlet port which is connected to a single fluid dispenser.

The first and second fluid dispensers 36, 38 may be spaced apart from one another when installed in the secure container 10. For example, the first and second fluid dispensers 36, 38 may be positioned at opposed sides or opposed ends of the enclosure 14. Such positioning allows the fluid to be dispensed onto different parts of the enclosure 14, thereby improving the coverage of the contents of the enclosure 14 by the fluid.

The mixer 28 is configured to mix the first and second fluids received at its inlet ports 26, 30, such that a mixture of the first and second fluids is dispensed through each of the outlet ports 32, 34 and into the enclosure 14 of the secure container 10, via the first and second fluid dispensers 36, 38. The construction and operation of the mixer 28 is described below, with reference to Figure 3.

The first and second reservoirs 22 arc each associated with pressurising means 40, 42 which can be activated to pressurise the fluids stored in the reservoirs 22, 24 to cause the fluids to be expelled from the reservoirs 22, 24 into the mixer 28.

The first and second reservoirs 22, 24 may take a variety of forms, and the form of the pressuring means may depend upon the form of the reservoirs 22, 24. For example, the first and second reservoirs 22, 24 may take the form of collapsible bellows which, when filled with the first and second fluids, are in an extended configuration. When the fluid dispensing system 10 is activated, the bellows are compressed, causing them to collapse and expel the first and second fluids contained within them.

In this case, the pressurising means may comprise a source of compressed gas such as a sealed canister or bottle of compressed gas, or a gas generator. On activation of the pressurising means 40, 42 the compressed gas is released and acts on the collapsible bellows, causing them to collapse, thereby expelling the first and second fluids from the first and second reservoirs 22, 24 towards the mixer 28.

In an alternative embodiment the first and second reservoirs 22, 24 may take the form of substantially cylindrical tanks having outlets that arc scaled by pistons, burst discs or the like to prevent the first and second fluids from escaping. In this case the pressurising means may again comprise a source of compressed gas such as a sealed canister or bottle of compressed gas, or a gas generator. On activation of the pressurising means the compressed gas is introduced into the first and second reservoirs 22, 24, pressurising the first and second fluids contained within them and forcing the first and second fluids to be expelled from the first and second reservoirs 22, 24 to be expelled towards the mixer 28.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation showing the mixer 28 in more detail. The mixer 28 in this example is substantially I-shaped in cross section, having a central, generally upright portion disposed between upper and lower transverse struts.

The first and second inlet ports 26, 30 for receiving fluids to be mixed are positioned at the ends of the lower transverse strut of the I-shaped mixer, such that the first and second inlet ports 26, 30 are generally co-axial.

The central upright column of the I-shaped mixer 28 is a hollow generally cylindrical tube which forms a mixing chamber 50 that communicates with the first and second inlets 26, 30, and in which the fluids received at the first and second inlets 26, 30 are mixed.

The first and second outlet ports 32, 34 arc positioned at the ends of the upper transverse strut of the I-shaped mixer 28, such that the first and second outlet ports 32, 34 arc generally co-axial. The first and second outlet ports 32, 34 communicate with the mixing chamber 50 such that a mixture of the fluid emerging from the mixing chamber 50 is dispensed through each of the outlet ports 32, 34.

To achieve effective mixing of the first and second fluids received at its inlet ports 26, 30, the mixer 28 includes deflector means for deflecting the fluid entering the mixer 28 via the inlet ports 26, 30 towards the mixing chamber 50. In the example illustrated in Figure 3 the deflector means arc first and second ramps 52, 54 of generally triangular cross-section.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the first ramp 52 is positioned in an inlet path from the first inlet port 26 of the mixer 50 and slopes upwards, such that fluid entering the mixer 28 through the first inlet port 26 is directed towards a curved inner wall 56 of the generally cylindrical mixing chamber 50, as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figure 3.

Similarly, the second ramp 54 is positioned in an inlet path from the second inlet port 30 of the mixer 28 and slopes upwards, such that fluid entering the mixer 28 through the second inlet port 30 is directed towards the inner wall 56 of the generally cylindrical mixing chamber 50, as indicated by the dotted arrows in Figure 3.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the first and second ramps 52, 54 are positioned in an opposed relationship to each other (i.e. they arc positioned so as to be "facing" in opposite directions), and their lower ends are laterally offset such that when viewed in cross section the side of the first ramp 52 overlaps the side of the second ramp 54.

The effect of this positioning is that the upper ends of the first and second ramps 52, 54 deflect fluid streams from the fir st and second inlet ports 26, 30 in substantially opposite directions, towards substantially opposite parts of the inner wall 56 of the mixing chamber 50.

The angle at which the fluid stream received from the first inlet port 26 and deflected by the first ramp 52 is incident upon the curved inner wall 56 of the mixing chamber 50 causes the fluid stream from the first inlet port 26 to travel in a generally spiral path through the mixing chamber 50, as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figure 3. Similarly, the angle at which the fluid streams received from the second inlet port 30 and deflected by the second ramp 54 is incident upon the curved inner wall 56 of the mixing chamber causes the fluid stream from the second inlet port 30 to travel in a generally spiral path through the mixing chamber 50, as indicated by the dotted arrows in Figure 3. As can be seen, the fluid streams travel in substantially opposite directions along their respective spiral paths, and this causes thorough mixing of the two fluid streams, such that the fluid flowing out of each of the first and second outlet ports 32, 34 of the mixer 28 is a substantially uniform mixture of the fluids that entered the mixer 28 through the first and second inlet ports 26, 30.

The substantially uniform mixture of the fluids flows out of the first and second outlet ports 32, 34 of the mixer 28 and the tubes or conduits into the first and second fluid dispensers 36, 38, from which it is dispensed into the enclosure 14 of the secure container 10, and thus onto the contents of the enclosure 14, causing degradation of the contents.

As is explained above, the first and second fluid dispensers 36, 38 may be spaced apart from one another when installed in the secure container 10, such that the mixture of the first and second fluids is dispensed into different parts of the enclo sure 14 to improve the coverage of the contents of the enclosure 14 by the mixture.

The mixing of the two fluids in the mixer 28 to create a substantially uniform mixture is particularly advantageous when the two fluids are first and second parts of a two-part non-reversible bonding agent used as a degrading or spoiling agent in a spoiling system of a secure container 10 of the type illustrated in Figure 1 The substantially uniform mixing of the two parts of the non-reversible bonding agent prior to dispensing of the non-reversible bonding agent into the enclosure 14 of the secure container 10 ensures that the bonding agent is effective as soon as it comes into contact with the contents of the enclosure (e.g. bank notes), which improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the bonding agent as a spoiling or degrading agent, as there is no opportunity for the individual parts of the bonding agent to be wasted by coming into contact with the contents and subsequently not mixing with the other part of the bonding agent. This allows a reduction in the amount of the two part bonding agent required to achieve a given level of effective coverage of the contents of the enclosure 14 by the bonding agent.

The use of a non-reversible bonding agent as a degrading agent in a secure container 1 0 offers numerous advantages. For example, the use of a non-reversible bonding agent to degrade bank notes overcomes the problem that bank notes stained with an ink or dye may be usable in low-light environments or in machines such as car park ticketing machines, since it is very difficult to separate an individual note from a set of notes bonded together without destroying the note or damaging it to such an extent that it is unusable. Even if a single note were to be recovered intact, it is likely that the presence of the bonding agent would be apparent in the texture or other tactile characteristics of the note, making it unusable in machines, and difficult to pass to a human cashier without arousing suspicion.

The expression "non-reversible bonding agent" is intended to indicate that the bonding agent, once set or cured, is resistant to mechanical and chemical attack and to extremes of heat or cold, such that the cured bonding agent is impossible, in practical terms, to remove completely, and items bonded by the bonding agent cannot be released from the bonding agent without being destroyed or damaged to the extent that the items are unusable.

One example of a non-reversible bonding agent suitable for use in the fluid dispensing system 20 used as part of a spoiling system of a secure container 10 is a liquid based on methacrylate monomers which is cured via free radical polymerisation. This non-reversible bonding agent is stored as first and second parts in the fir st and second reservoirs 22, 24, and the two parts are mixed together in the mixer 28 on activation of the spoiling system of the secure container 10 before being dispensed, via the first and second dispensers 36, 28 into the enclosure 14 of the secure container 10. Once the mixture of the two parts of this liquid has been dispensed onto the contents of the enclosure 14 it cures and hardens into a solid mass, encasing the contents of the enclosure 14 (e.g. bank notes) in a solid mass which is extremely resistant to mechanical and chemical attack and extremes of heat and cold, thereby making it impossible, in practical terms, to remove the cured bonding agent completely and to recover the contents of the enclosure 14 intact, and thus rendering the contents unusable and worthless.

The non-reversible bonding agent may incorporate, in one or both of its parts, an indelible dye or ink, enabling the contents of the enclosure 14 to be partially or wholly stained as well as bonded. Additionally or alternatively, unique marking agents could be incorporated into one or both of the parts of the non-reversible agent. Suitable marking agents include synthetic or natural DNA markers and unique combinations of rare earth materials. The inclusion of such markers allows valuable items recovered after an incident to be traced back to a particular secure container 10 and therefore to a particular incident involving that particular secure container 10. Of course, it will be appreciated that the fluid dispensing system 10 is suitable for dispensing fluids other than a non-reversible bonding agent, and in this case one or both of the fluids may be, or may include, a dye, an ink, and/or a unique marking agent.

The use of a non-reversible bonding agent as a degrading agent in a secure container 10 can help to facilitate tracking of valuable itcms to aid their rccovery evcn aftcr thcy have been removed from the enclosure 14 of the container 10 following theft of the secure container 10, as will now be explained.

Sccure containers of thc typc illustratcd in Figurc I typically includc a location dcvicc which permits the location of the secure container 10 to be tracked. The location device may be, for example, a transmitter which transmits a signal containing coordinates received from a positioning system receiver such as a GPS receiver of the device to remote location via a cellular communication network.

This allows the position of the secure container 10 to be tracked, but if the container lOis stolen the thieves will at some point opcn it to retrieve thc contents and subsequently discard thc securc containcr 10. Whilst the location dcvicc of thc sccurc container 10 will continue to provide information regarding the location of the secure container 10, the contents of the secure container 10 will likely have moved from that location.

To permit tracking and location of the conteilts of the secure container 10, a transmitter unit (shown at 60 in Figure 4) may be provided in the enclosure 14 of the secure container 10. The transmitter unit 60 is a separate unit that can be placed in the enclosure 14 before or after the valuable items are loaded into the enclosure 14, provided that the transmitted unit 60 is in close proximity to the valuable items. For example, where the secure container 10 is used to transport a stack of bank notes, the transmitter unit 60 may be placed on top ofor alongside the stack of bank notes after it has been placed in the enclosure.

The transmitter unit 60 includes a receiver 62 for receiving communications from the securc container 10 and an RF transmitter 64 for transmitting a beacon signal that can bc used to locate the transmitter unit 60.

When the detection system of the secure container 10 detects events that can bc interpreted as an attcmptcd theft of, or other unauthorised interfcrencc with, the secure container 10, the container's spoiling system is activated to dispense a non-reversible bonding agent into the enclosure 14 to degrade the contents of the enclosure 14.

At the same timc, a signal is transmitted by the sccurc container 10 to thc transmitter unit 60, causing the transmitter unit 60 to activate its RE transmitter 64 and thereby begin transmitting a beacon signal in a known frequency band.

In an alternative version, the transmitter unit 60 includes a temperature sensor which is operative to trigger the RF transmitter 64 when a threshold temperature is reached. The bonding agent curing reaction is exothermic, and can generate heat in the region of 70°C.

The tempcraturc scnsor of thc transmitter unit 60 may bc configured to triggcr the RF transmitter 64 when it dctects a threshold temperature, e.g. 40°C, which is above normal operating temperature, and which would indicate that the exothermic curing reaction of the non-reversible degrading agent has begun. In this way the RF transmitter 64 can be triggered automatically to start transmitting the beacon signal in the known frequency band when the non-reversible bonding ageint begins to bond (which will occur shortly after the container's spoiling system is activated), and thus the receiver 62 is not required in the transmitter unit 60, but is replaced by the temperature sensor.

As well as bonding the valuable items received in the enclosure 14, the non-reversible bonding agent also bonds the transmitter unit 60 to the valuable items. Thus, if the valuable items are removed from the enclosure the beacon signal transmitted by the transmitter unit 60 can bc uscd to locate thc valuablc items, sincc the transmitter unit 60 is bolldcd to thc valuable items. The non-reversible property of thc bonding agent makes it impossible practically to remove the transmitter unit 60 from the valuable items. This facilitates the location and rccovcry of thc valuable items, as thc last known location of the secure container 10, as reported by the location device of the container 10 cain be used as a starting point for a search for the vahiable items using a directional RF receiver.

In some systems for protecting valuable items in transit or in storage, the valuable items (e.g. stacks of bank notes) are placed inside a sealed bag, with the sealed bag then being placed in the enclosure 14 of the secure container 10 for storage or transport. In such systems means arc provided to dispense the degrading agent onto the contents of the sealed bag. For example, the fluid dispensing system may be configured to enter, pierce or rupture the sealed bag prior to or during dispensing the degrading agent, to ensure that the contents of the sealed bag arc adequately covered with the degrading agent.

In such systems a non-reversible bonding agent of the type described above can be used as the degrading agent, and a transmitter unit 60 of the type described above can be placed inside the sealed bag before it is placed in the enclosure 14 of the secure container for storage or transport. Thus, in the event of theft of the secure container 10 the spoiling system will be activated to dispense the non-reversible bonding agent onto the valuable items and the transmitter unit 60 contained in the sealed bag, causing the valuable items to be bonded and the transmitter unit 60 to be bonded to the valuable items, thereby permitting the valuable items to be tracked if they are removed from the secure container 10.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fluid dispensing system comprising: a first reservoir for storing a first fluid; a second reservoir for storing a second fluid; a mixer for mixing the first and second fluids, the mixer being in fluid communication with the first and second reservoirs and comprising a first inlet, a second inlet and a mixing chamber, and further comprising deflector means for deflecting fluid received at the first and second inlets towards the mixing chamber, the mixer being configured to cause the first and second fluids entering the mixing chamber from the first and second inlets to follow a substantially spiral path to promote mixing of the first and second fluids.
2. A fluid dispcnsing system according to claim 1 whcrein the mixing chamber has a curved inner wall which imparts a spiral motion to the fluid in the mixing chamber.
3. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the deflector means comprises first and second ramps positioned in inlet paths to the mixer.
4. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 3 wherein the first and second ramps are positioned in an opposed relationship to each other
5. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein lower ends of the ramps are laterally offset with respect to each other
6. A fluid dispensing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mixer has a plurality of outlets
7. A fluid dispensing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inlets of the mixcr are substantially coaxial, and the mixing chamber is substantially orthogonal to the inlets.
8. A fluid dispensing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second fluids are first and second parts of a non-reversible bonding agent.
9. A fluid dispensing system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one or both of the first and second fluids comprises one or more of: a dye; an ink; and a unique marking agent.
10. A mixer comprising a first inlet, a second inlet and a mixing chamber, and further comprising deflector means for deflecting fluid received at the first and second inlets towards the mixing chamber, the mixer being configured to cause the first and second fluids entering the mixing chamber from the first and second inlets to follow a substantially spiral path to promote mixing of the first and second fluids.
11. A mixer according to claim 10 further comprising the features of any one of claims 2 to 7.
12. A secure container for transporting or storing valuable items, the secure container comprising a detection system and a fluid dispensing system according to any one of claims I to 9, wherein the detection system is configured to activate the fluid dispensing system on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container so as to dispense a spoiling agent onto the contents of the secure container.
13. A secure container according to claim 12 wherein the degrading agent is a non-reversible bonding agent.
14. A sccure container according to claim 13 wherein the non-reversible bonding agent is a liquid based on mcthacrylatc monomers which is cured via free radical polymerisation.
15. A system for secure transport or storage of a valuable item, the system comprising a secure container, the secure container having an cndosurc for receiving the valuable item and a dispensing system operative to dispense a non-reversible bonding agent into the enclosure on detection of unauthoriscd interference with the secure container.
16. A system according to claim 15 ifirther comprising: a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being configured to transmit a signal permitting location of the transmitter unit on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container, wherein the transmitter unit is received in the enclosure of the secure container, such that on activation of the dispensing system the transmitter unit becomes bonded to the valuable items.
17. A system according to claim 15 further comprising: a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being configured to transmit a signal permitting location of the transmitter unit on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container; and a sealable bag, the sealable bag being configured to receive the secure items, wherein the transmitter unit is received in the sealable bag, such that on activation of the dispensing system the transmitter unit becomes bonded to the valuable items.
18. A system according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the transmitter unit is configured to receive a signal from the secure container on detection of unauthorised interference with the secure container and to transmit the signal permitting location of the transmitter unit on receipt of the signal from the secure container.
19. A system according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the transmitter unit frirther comprises a temperature sensor which is operative to trigger the transmission of the signal permitting location of the signal from the secure container when a temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predefined level indicative of an exothermic curing reaction of the non-reversible bonding agent.
20. Use of a non-reversible bonding agent as a degrading agent in a secure container for storage or transport of valuable items.