(19)
(11) EP 0 940 348 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
08.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/36

(21) Application number: 99830114.7

(22) Date of filing: 03.03.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6B65D 33/34
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 04.03.1998 IT RM980064 U

(71) Applicant: Scappa, Claudio
02100 Rieti (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Scappa, Claudio
    02100 Rieti (IT)

(74) Representative: Taliercio, Antonio et al
ING. BARZANO' & ZANARDO ROMA S.p.A. Via Piemonte, 26
00187 Roma
00187 Roma (IT)

   


(54) Improved container for transport of valuables


(57) The invention relates to a container (1) for transport of valuables, characterised in that it is provided a protection (4) of electrically conductive wires, or of optical fibres or of photosensitive material or provided with an interspace containing fluid under a set pressure all over the body (3) of the container and the closure mechanism (2) of same the container (1).




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to an improved container for transport of valuables.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a container of the above kind realised in such a way to avoid undue tampering of the integrity of the same container.

[0003] As it is well known, in the managing of valuables container which are transported from one place to the other, for example from the outskirts bank and/or post office branches to the respective central seats, and vice versa, involving or not a time of residence with the seat of the Company in charge for the transport, the problem exists to be able to clearly individuate responsibilities of possible tampering of the valuables containers among the different parties involved in the transport (consignee, transporter, keeper and receiver).

[0004] Now, valuables transport is carried out by specialised companies by the use of disposable safety envelopes or by sealed containers by using different kinds of disposable safety seals.

[0005] In the realisation of container for transport of valuables, manufacturers attention is mainly focused on the closure system of the same containers.

[0006] Solutions studied provide the use of irreversible adhesives for the disposable envelope, of thermoplastic material, personalised and high relief numbered seals comprised of a single piece, or of physiotronic systems for the closure of the valuables bags.

[0007] All the solutions presently used, even making more difficult possible tampering attempts of the closure systems of the valuables containers, do not guarantee the integrity of the whole valuables container during every phase of the transportation and safe keeping, particularly with reference to the body of the container.

[0008] In view of the above, the Applicant has realised a solution allowing to obtain the protection also on the part of the container housing and containing the valuables, said housing or body part being in view of the specific needing soft or rigid (box, bag, envelope, pouch, etc.) and comprised of different material (plastic, synthetic, vegetal, metallic, etc.), making it possible that the receiver is sure to receive all the valuables sent to him.

[0009] In this situation it is included the solution suggested according to the present invention which has as main object that of providing a container of different shapes (box, bag, envelope, pouch, etc.) and comprised of different material (plastic, synthetic, vegetal, metallic, etc.) provided inside and in the closure mechanisms with conductive means, for example comprised of a dense net of conductive material and/or optical fibres or of photosensitive material or provided with an interspace containing fluid at a set pressure, or even said container providing an inside soft sheet made up of a suitable conductive alloy, in such a way to allow, by suitable sensors, to immediately and unequivocal individuate the tampering of the same container.

[0010] It is therefore specific object of the present invention a container for transport of valuables, characterised in that it is provided a protection of electrically conductive wires, or of optical fibres or of photosensitive material or provided with an interspace containing fluid under a set pressure all over the body of the container and the closure mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, according to the invention, said protection is comprised of a net of electrically conductive wires.

[0012] Still according to the invention, said protection is comprised of an optical fibre net or of photosensitive material, or provided with an interspace containing fluid under a set pressure.

[0013] Preferably, according to the invention, said protection provides one or more sensors to reveal the tampering of the container.

[0014] Always according to the invention, said protection can be connected to a battery operated clock which is visible from outside.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the invention, said protection can be connected to a pilot light.

[0016] Still according to the invention, said protection can be connected to a memory putting into evidence the time of the tampering.

[0017] Always according to the invention, said protection can be connected to a microprocessor actuating or blocking certain mechanical functions.

[0018] The container according to the invention can have different shapes (box, bag, envelope, pouch, etc.) and can be comprised of different material (plastic, synthetic, vegetal, metallic, etc.).

[0019] The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to one preferred embodiment, with particular reference to the figure of the enclosed drawing schematically showing in perspective an improved container.

[0020] Container 1 provides an closure upper part 2 and a bag part 3.

[0021] All the container 1 provides a net 4 of conductive material or of photosensitive material or provided with an interspace filled with fluid at a set pressure, said net 4 being provided on the inner part of the same container 1 and in the closure mechanisms.

[0022] In this way, net 4 comprised of conductive material or of photosensitive material or provided with an interspace filled with fluid at a set pressure is not accessible from outside. Net 4 is comprised of a large net of conductive material (and/or optical fibres) or of optical fibres or of photosensitive material or provided with an interspace filled with fluid at a set pressure, in order to put into evidence the tampering and allow to individuate the guilty.

[0023] Net 4 can e connected with battery powered clock which can be viewed from outside of container 1, said clock stopping in case of tampering, thus unequivocally individuating the time of the tampering, and thus allowing to individuate the responsible of the tampering, since he will surely be the person or organisation keeping the container at that moment.

[0024] Moreover, the receiver will refuse to withdraw the container having the clock not working since it has already been tampered.

[0025] Net 4 can be further connected to a pilot light, always viewable from outside, characterised by a particular colour in case the circuit is integral, and by a different colour if instead the circuit has been tampered.

[0026] The protection system provides the connection with a memory putting into evidence the occurred tampering.

[0027] The system can be further connected to a microprocessor operating or blocking certain mechanical functions for example the receipt or not of the valuables container within a double swing-door safe), if they are suitably interfaced.

[0028] The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.


Claims

1. Container for transport of valuables, characterised in that it is provided a protection of electrically conductive wires, or of optical fibres or of photosensitive material or provided with an interspace containing fluid under a set pressure all over the body of the container and the closure mechanism of the container.
 
2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said protection is comprised of a net of electrically conductive wires.
 
3. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said protection is comprised of an optical fibre net or of photosensitive material, or provided with an interspace containing fluid under a set pressure.
 
4. Container according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that said protection provides one or more sensors to reveal the tampering of the container.
 
5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said protection is connected to a battery powered clock which is visible from outside.
 
6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said protection is connected to a pilot light.
 
7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said protection is connected to a memory putting into evidence the time of the tampering.
 
8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said protection is connected to a microprocessor actuating or blocking certain mechanical functions.
 
9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has different shapes (box, bag, envelope, pouch, etc.) and it is comprised of different material (plastic, synthetic, vegetal, metallic, etc.).
 




Drawing