Systems and apparatus for secure shipping

• US 20050275553A1
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Weekes
• Original Assignee: David Weekes
• Inventors: Weekes, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,088,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/652
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/14 of bar fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/18 Devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/24 Devices for sound-producing, piercing, gas-discharging, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 29/00 Sacks or like containers made of fabrics; Flexible containers of open-work, e.g. net-like construction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/126 for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

A container is provided. The container includes a casing having an opening for admitting contents into the container. A matrix of conductive lines extends across at least a portion of the casing. A sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix. An indicator indicates a breach of integrity of the container when the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix. A system is also provided. The system includes a monitoring network and a container. The container includes a casing having an opening for admitting contents into the container. A matrix of conductive lines extends across at least a portion of the casing. A sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix. An interface transmits a signal to the monitoring network when the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix, the signal indicating a breach of integrity of the container.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a casing, the casing having an opening for admitting contents into the container;

a matrix of conductive lines extending across at least a portion of the casing;

a sensor for sensing a breach of integrity of the matrix; and

an indicator operable to indicate a breach of integrity of the container when the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the casing consists essentially of a mesh.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a mesh.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the matrix comprises conductive lines contained within the mesh.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the conductive lines comprise electrically conductive lines.

6. The container of claim 4, wherein the conductive lines comprise light conductive lines.

7. The container of claim 4, wherein the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix by sensing an open circuit between the ends of one of the conductive lines.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises conductive lines.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the conductive lines comprise electrically conductive lines.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein the conductive lines comprise light conductive lines.

11. The container of claim 8, wherein the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix by sensing an open circuit between the ends of one of the conductive lines.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a visual indicator or an audio indicator.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a signal transmitted to a monitoring network.

14. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lock for locking the opening in a closed position.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the lock comprises a biometric scanner for unlocking the lock.

16. The container of claim 14, further comprising:

a sensor for sensing a breach of integrity of the lock; and

the indicator being operable to indicate a breach of integrity of the container when the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the lock.

17. A system comprising:

a monitoring network; and

a container, the container comprising;

a casing, the casing having an opening for admitting contents into the container;

a matrix of conductive lines extending across at least a portion of the casing;

a sensor for sensing a breach of integrity of the matrix; and

an interface operable to transmit a signal to the monitoring network when the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix, the signal indicating a breach of integrity of the container.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the matrix comprises conductive lines.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the conductive lines comprise electrically conductive lines.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the conductive lines comprise light conductive lines.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the matrix by sensing an open circuit between the ends of one of the conductive lines.

22. The system of claim 17, further comprising a lock for locking the opening in a closed position.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the lock comprises a biometric scanner for unlocking the lock.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

a sensor for sensing a breach of integrity of the lock; and

the interface being operable to transmit a signal to the monitoring network when the sensor senses a breach of integrity of the lock, the signal indicating a breach of integrity of the container.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the monitoring network comprises a plurality of monitors.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the monitors each comprise a wireless interface.