Sealed freight enclosure

• US 20030074334A1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Garfinkle, Pasquale Maglione
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Garfinkle, Pasquale Maglione
• Inventors: Garfinkle, Jeffrey, Maglione, Pasquale
• Application Number:
  US10/300,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074334A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/500
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/06 with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00174 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00268 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00497 whereby at least one side wall is made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00557 without separate auxiliary elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00587 side walls directly connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00621 sidewalls directly connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00661 side walls maintained connected to pallet by means of auxiliary locking elements, e.g. spring loaded locking pins
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00716 non-removable lid or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00815 on the pallet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0086 Protection against environmental hazards, e.g. humidity, bacteria, fire
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0099 single dismountable pallet element, e.g. for replacement
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00055 Clapping elements, also placed on the side
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00111 Arrangements of flexible binders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/0096 the dimensions of the supports corresponding to the periphery of the load, e.g. pallets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method is disclosed comprising locking a freight enclosure with a lock so that freight inside the freight enclosure can be accessed only by breaking the lock or by damaging the freight enclosure. The lock typically has a serial number which can be seen by an agent receiving the lock unless the lock has been defaced. The method may include transporting the freight enclosure, and thereafter checking the lock to make sure it is not broken, the serial number to make sure it is correct, and the freight enclosure to make sure it is not damaged. An entry may be made in a log book, noting the last entity to send the freight enclosure, if these conditions are not satisfied.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

locking a freight enclosure with a lock so that freight inside the freight enclosure can be accessed only by breaking the lock or by damaging the freight enclosure.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

the lock has a serial number which can be seen by an agent receiving the lock unless the lock has been defaced.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising

transporting the freight enclosure.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising

checking the lock after the step of transporting the freight enclosure to see if the lock has been broken.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising

checking to see if the serial number of the lock is correct.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising

placing an indication in a log book that the lock has been broken if the lock has been broken.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising

placing an indication in the log book, wherein the indication specifies an entity who last sent the freight enclosure.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein

the freight enclosure is comprised of a durable material.

9. A method comprising

receiving a freight enclosure in which is located freight;

wherein the freight enclosure is locked by a lock having a serial number; and

wherein the freight within the freight enclosure can only be accessed by either breaking the lock or damaging the freight enclosure.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising

checking the serial number of the lock.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising

checking the freight enclosure to see if the freight enclosure is damaged.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising

checking to see if the lock is broken.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising

placing an indication in a log book if the lock is broken.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein

the indication placed in the log book specifies an entity which last sent the freight enclosure.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising

checking the freight enclosure to see if the freight enclosure is damaged;

and

checking to see if the lock is broken; and

signing for the freight enclosure if the lock is not broken, the freight enclosure is not damaged, and the serial number of the lock is correct.