The term depository safe refers to any safe that allows someone to put an item in without having access to the contents of the safe. An example that many people will be familiar with are the "night safes" you often see in large old bank buildings. With depository safes, typically, there are two sections, a lower storage area, which forms the main part of the safe, and an upper section of the safe, which may also be secured with a lock, but not necessarily. The depositor drops the valuables to be secured either in a drawer, or through a slot which empties into the main part of the safe which can only be opened through a second door by the main key holder.
To prevent theftdesigners have come up with two main methods to stop someone from being able to simply poke their arm or a long tool through the slot on depository safes. The first is much like the large-parcel chute for modern mail boxes, which features a V-shaped "drawer", called a hopper, which you pull out to open. The sides of the V form the walls, the outer of which blocks entry to the door from outside, and the inner, which blocks outside access to the interior of the safe when the hopper is pulled open. When the hopper is allowed to revert to its closed state the inner wall tips to such an angle that the contents fall into the main interior of the safe. Depository safes which use this design are often referred to as side, top or front hopper depository safes.
The second main design uses a similar principle but removes some of the inherent flaws with it. The problem with the V-shaped front hopper is that to allow the walls to slide up when the hopper is partially opened there is a small gap which would allow access to the interior of the safe. This is where a rotary hopper comes into play. A rotary hopper requires the contents deposited through the secondary door or deposit slot to complete nearly one full revolution in the cylinder-shaped hopper before they are allowed to drop into the main section. Since the rotary hopper is effectively ratcheted and can, therefore, only rotate one way, this virtually eliminates the possibility of someone being able to retrieve the contents with a long length of rigid wire or the like.
Depository safes do come in various different configurations Some are effectively mirrored down the middle allowing transfer of sensitive assets or valuables between two key holders (or combination holders). There are a wide range of other shapes also and they come in all sizes. The price range begins at about US$300 and goes anywhere upwards from there.
The most common use for depository safes is in retail outlets where once the cash on hand goes over a certain amount, staff are instructed to empty the contents of the cash drawer through the slot of depository safes. This procedure not only protects your business in the event of a robbery by limiting the amount of cash available but can make for greater peace of mind for your staff, knowing that they would never need to feel that they may be held responsible for an entire day's takings in the event of a robbery.
