Security system for storing and transporting articles

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for securing valuable articles wherein the articles are provided within a tamper evident primary container ( 10 ) or envelope, the primary container is contained within a secondary container ( 60 ) or box, and dispensing means ( 12 ) is provided in the secondary container ( 60 ) selectively to dispense a staining medium. The invention provides that the primary container ( 10 ) is partitioned into first ( 30 ) and second ( 32 ) portions that communicate with each other through at least one path ( 34.1 ); the articles to be secured are inserted into the first portion ( 30 ) which is then sealed ( 26 ); and the dispensing means ( 12, 42 ) is arranged to dispense the staining medium into the second portion ( 32 ) when activated. A plurality of spaced flow paths ( 34.2 ) may be formed between the first ( 30 ) and second ( 32 ) portions, the paths being arranged to prevent access to the first portion through the second portion.

1 . A method of securing valuable articles wherein the articles are provided within a tamper evident primary container ( 10 ), the primary container is contained within a secondary container ( 60 ), and dispensing means ( 12 ) is provided in the secondary container selectively to dispense a staining medium, including the steps of:
 partitioning the primary container ( 10 ) into first ( 30 ) and second ( 32 ) portions that communicate with each other through at least one path ( 34 . 2 );   inserting articles to be secured into the first portion ( 30 ) and sealing ( 28 ) at least that portion; and   arranging the dispensing means ( 12 ) to dispense the staining medium into the second portion ( 32 ) when required or activated.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , including forming a plurality of spaced flow paths ( 34 . 1 ) between the first ( 30 ) and second ( 32 ) portions. 
   
   
       3 . The method of either of  claim 1 , including inserting a tube ( 42 ) into the second portion ( 32 ), and dispensing the staining medium along the tube when required. 
   
   
       4 . The method of any one of  claim 1 , including substantially sealing the tube to the primary container, in order to ensure that at least a substantial portion of the staining medium is dispensed into the primary container. 
   
   
       5 . A security apparatus including a tamper evident primary container ( 10 ), a secondary container ( 60 ) to receive the primary container, and dispensing means ( 12 ) to dispense a staining medium into the secondary container, wherein:
 the primary container ( 10 ) is partitioned into first ( 30 ) and second ( 32 ) portions that communicate with each other through at least one path ( 34 . 2 ); and   the dispensing means ( 12 ) comprises means ( 42 ) to direct the staining medium into the second portion of the primary container.   
   
   
       6 . The security apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the path ( 34 . 2 ) between the first and second portions is arranged to prevent access to the first portion ( 30 ) through the second portion ( 32 ). 
   
   
       7 . The security apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the dispensing means ( 12 ) comprises a store ( 50 ) of flowable staining medium, means ( 48 ,  46 ) to pressurise the store and means ( 68 ) selectively to activate the pressurising means. 
   
   
       8 . The security apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the dispensing means ( 12 ) includes a tube ( 42 ) that is insertable into the second portion ( 32 ,  36 ) of the primary container.