Secure Container Spray Tower for Banknote Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secure containers for storing and transporting valuables, such as banknotes, face inefficiencies in smearing systems, where spray bars mounted on side walls often fail to effectively cover all banknotes due to the large internal volume, leaving some notes unprotected.

Innovation Solution

A secure container design featuring a spray tower with at least two liquid spray nozzles positioned inside without contact with the side walls, having axes arranged in different directions, and comprising vertical branches with straight and oblique parts to ensure comprehensive coverage of banknotes, preventing them from getting stuck on the tower during introduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spray bars are mounted on side walls to smear banknotes, then the system provides protection against theft, but the coverage is insufficient in containers with large internal volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional spray bars mounted on side walls to a three-dimensional spray tower with vertical branches extending upward from the container bottom. This vertical dimension allows spray nozzles positioned at multiple heights to cover the entire volume of the container, solving the coverage limitation of horizontal spray bars in large-volume containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray tower is divided into multiple vertical branches (typically three or four) that are segmented and distributed around the container's central axis. Each branch contains spray nozzles directed toward different areas, collectively providing comprehensive coverage of all banknotes stored in the container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If a central spray tower is added to improve coverage, then all banknotes can be effectively sprayed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray coverage areaVSAvoidspray system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple spray functions into a single integrated spray tower structure. Instead of adding separate spray bars to each side wall, all spray nozzles are combined into one central tower with multiple branches, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray tower serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides spray coverage for the entire container volume, acts as a central structural element, and distributes liquid uniformly across all stored banknotes through its multi-branched configuration with nozzles at various positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If vertical branches with oblique parts are used in the spray tower, then banknotes can be prevented from getting stuck, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebanknote insertion easeVSAvoidtower manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The oblique parts of the vertical branches are designed with inclined surfaces that guide banknotes smoothly downward toward the container bottom. These angled surfaces prevent banknotes from resting on horizontal surfaces of the tower, ensuring they slide past the structure without getting stuck during insertion or removal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The spray tower ensures efficient and uniform coverage of banknotes within the container, enhancing their protection by spreading liquid in various directions, thereby making them unusable in the event of theft or forced opening, while minimizing the tower's size and ensuring homogeneity of spraying throughout the enclosure.

Implementation Method 1

at least two liquid spray nozzles whose respective axes are arranged in different directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2525036B1Container for the secure storage of objects, in particular banknotes
Publication Date: 2013.12.11 OBERTHUR CASH PROTECTION
  • EP2525036B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2525036B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The container has an enclosure (14) for receiving objects e.g. banknotes (12). A spraying column (100) is arranged at inside the enclosure without having contact with side walls (18) of the enclosure. The column comprises ink spraying nozzles (109) including respective spraying axes (109a) that are arranged in different directions. The column comprises vertical branches (102) secured to one another. Each branch comprises a straight portion (102a) and a bevel-shaped tilting portion (102b) extending from the straight portion until a top part of the column.