Cargo security method and apparatus

• US 20040066887A1
• Filed: 10/08/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freight Glove Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Freight Glove Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Garfinkle, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 6,982,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/57
• 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: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material

Abstract

A comprehensive and effective system at detecting unauthorized hazardous materials such as explosives potentially placed by terrorists in cargo or freight, such as air cargo, is disclosed. The system is cost effective and is non-disruptive to shippers of cargo. The system provided in one or more embodiments is capable of virtually guaranteeing the continuous security and integrity of cargo or freight during the storage and transit process. The system provides a combination of advanced x-ray technology and packaging technology. A method is disclosed comprising the steps of applying X-rays with an X-ray machine to freight and placing a cover on the freight. The step of placing the cover on the freight may include locking the cover on the freight with a lock. The lock may include an electronic memory, which is programmed with a unique code, which identifies the freight and indicates whether it has been tampered with.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of

applying X-rays with an X-ray machine to freight;

and

placing a cover on the freight.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

the step of placing the cover on the freight includes locking the cover on the freight with a lock.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein

the lock includes an electronic memory which is programmed with a unique code which identifies the freight and indicates whether it has been tampered with.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising

activating an alarm if the X-ray machine detects the presence of hazardous materials within the freight.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising

activating an alarm if the X-ray machine detects the presence of explosive materials within the freight.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising

visually examining X-ray imagery of the freight when the alarm activates.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising

visually examining X-ray imagery of the freight when the alarm activates.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising

examining the freight by direct visual inspection if the examination of the X-ray imagery of the freight is not satisfactory.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising

examining the freight by direct visual inspection if the examination of the X-ray imagery of the freight is not satisfactory.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising

notifying law enforcement authorities if the visual examination of the X-ray imagery of the freight reveals a suspected hazardous substance.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising

notifying law enforcement authorities if the visual examination of the X-ray imagery of the freight reveals a suspected explosive material.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising

visually inspecting the cover on the freight and thereby determining if the cover has been tampered with.

13. The method of claim 3 further comprising

querying the electronic memory to determine if the freight is satisfactory and to determine if the freight can be loaded onto a carrier vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein

the carrier vehicle is an aircraft.

15. A method comprising the steps of

visually examining freight to see if the freight has been tampered with to include any unauthorized hazardous materials;

placing a cover on the freight if the freight does not include any unauthorized hazardous materials.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein

the step of placing the cover on the freight includes locking the cover on the freight with a lock.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein

the lock includes an electronic memory, which is programmed with a unique code, which identifies the freight and indicates whether it has been tampered with.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising

activating an alarm if the visual inspection detects the presence of unauthorized hazardous materials within the freight.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising

activating an alarm if the visual inspection detects the presence of explosive unauthorized hazardous materials within the freight.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising

notifying law enforcement authorities up detection of the presence of unauthorized hazardous materials within the freight.

21. The method of claim 15 further comprising

visually inspecting the cover on the freight and thereby determining if the cover has been tampered with.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising

querying the electronic memory to determine if the freight is satisfactory and to determine if the freight can be loaded onto a carrier vehicle.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein

the carrier vehicle is an aircraft.