Security pouch having a locking mechanism associated with an electronic module

• US 6,029,482 A
• Filed: 05/09/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: A. Rifkin Co.
• Original Assignee: A. Rifkin Co.
• Inventors: Rifkin, Arnold S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boucher, Darnell M.
• Application Number:
  US08/853,790
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 70/68, 70/67, 70/440, 70/434, 70/432, 70/433, 292/307 R, 109/38, 109/39, 109/43, 109/44
• US Class Current: 70/68
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 19/301 at the end of their upward travel with any suitable device, e.g. pull member combined with a press-button, a hook, a key-operated lock
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 1/10 Money-bags for conductors or like people; Money-bags with rigid coin-holders
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/103 Arrangement of zip-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/18 Devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2001/003 Security cash bags
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0069 bolt position
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/04 with counting or registering devices time recording locks G07C1/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5053 Interengageable slide fastener type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8081 Electric

Abstract

A security pouch for carrying confidential documents or other valuables from a sending to a remote receiving station, the pouch being adapted to inform its receiver whether at some point in the course of transit, the pouch had been intercepted and opened and then reclosed. The pouch is provided with closure means, a locking mechanism which when locked engages the closure means and secures the documents within the pouch, and an electronic module operatively coupled to this mechanism. The electronic module includes a random number generator, an elapsed time measuring unit and an LCD display to present the number and the elapsed time. When at the sending station, the sender locks the pouch containing the documents, this action triggers the generator to produce and display a random number. And it also resets the elapsed time unit which then proceeds to count time. Normally, when the pouch arrives at the receiving station, the module then displays the same random number, thereby assuring the receiver that the pouch had not been intercepted in the course of transit. But if at some point in this course, the pouch was intercepted and unlocked to obtain access to the documents and then relocked, then when the pouch arrives at the receiving station, the random number then displayed does not match that produced at the sending station. And the elapsed time then displayed indicates the time that had elapsed from the time of interception, not from the sending time.

Claims

1. A security pouch for carrying confidential documents from a sending to a receiving station, the pouch being adapted to inform its receiver whether at some point in the course of its travel, the pouch had been intercepted and opened and then reclosed, said security pouch comprising:

(A.) a pouch having closure means which, when opened admits said documents, and when closed seals the documents in the pouch;

(B.) a locking mechanism installed in the pouch adapted to engage the closed closure means so that it cannot be opened; and

(C.) an electronic module operatively coupled to the locking mechanism and including a random number generator and a display therefor which is activated each time the mechanism is locked whereby when at the sending station the pouch containing said documents is locked, a random number is then presented, and when the pouch is received at the receiving station, and the same number is presented, this assures the receiver that the pouch had not been opened, but if the number is different, this informs the receiver that the pouch had been opened, the locking mechanism and the module operatively coupled thereto being combined in a case to form a unitary assembly that is mounted at an upper corner of the pouch, said module being provided with an LCD display which is viewable through an opening in the case, said pouch in the corner thereof in which the assembly is mounted having a window in registration with the opening exposing the display.

2. A pouch as set forth in claim 1, in which the pouch is formed of high-strength fabric and is provided with a patch to reinforce said upper corner.