Cargo security method and apparatus

• US 6,982,643 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2002
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Freight Glove Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Freight Glove Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Garfinkle, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US10/266,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20040066887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/3.1, 340/540, 340/571, 378/57, 533/99, 533/97, 150/154
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• 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 of screening and protecting freight prior to transportation on a carrier, the method comprising the steps of:

a. applying x-rays with an x-ray machine to freight to detect the presence of hazardous substances in the freight, the x-ray machine having an alarm which is activated if hazardous substances are detected;

b. covering the freight with a flexible, durable, water-impervious cover if the freight does not activate the alarm, the cover comprising a top portion and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls joined at their upper ends to the top portion and joined at their respective sides to an adjacent sidewall so that the top portion and sidewalls together form an open box-shaped structure which fits over and covers the freight each of the sidewalls also having a bottom edge, the cover further comprising fastening means for securing the cover to the freight, wherein the fastening means comprises a first strap positioned along the bottom edge of at least the first sidewall, and a second strap positioned along the bottom edge of at least the third sidewall, the first strap having first end connected to an attachment device and a second end terminating in a loop, the second strap having a first end connected to an attachment device and a second end terminating in a loop, wherein the attachment devices of the first and second straps each comprise a handle having a plurality of spaced apart ringed openings therethrough, and wherein the cover is secured to the freight by inserting the loop of the first strap through one of the ringed openings in the handle of the second strap, and by inserting the loop of the second strap through one of the ringed openings in the handle of the first strap; and

c. applying a locking device to the fastening means and locking the locking device to lock the cover on the freight.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the locking device includes an electronic memory which is programmed with a unique code which identifies the freight and indicates whether it has been tampered with.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of querying the electronic memory to determine if the freight is satisfactory and to determine if the freight can be loaded onto the carrier.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of visually inspecting the cover secured to the freight to determine whether the cover is intact and the freight can be loaded onto the carrier.

5. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of visually inspecting and analyzing x-ray imagery of the freight if the alarm is activated to determine whether hazardous substances are present in the freight, covering the freight with the flexible, durable water-impervious cover if no hazardous substances are detected from the visual inspection of the x-ray imagery, and applying the locking device to the fastening means to lock the cover on the freight.

6. The method of claim 1 further including the step of visually inspecting the freight if the alarm is activated to determine whether hazardous substances are present in the freight, covering the freight with the flexible, durable, water-impervious cover if no hazardous substances are determined from the visual inspection of the freight, and applying the locking device to the fastening means to lock the cover on the freight.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a locking device is inserted through the loop of the first strap and the ringed opening in the handle of the second strap and locked, and a locking device is inserted through the loop of the second strap and the ringed opening in the handle of the first strap and locked to lock the cover on the freight.

8. A system for screening and protecting freight prior to transportation on a carrier, the system comprising:

an x-ray machine for applying x-rays to freight, the x-ray machine being capable of detecting hazardous substances in the freight and having an alarm which is activated if hazardous substances are detected;

a flexible, durable, water-impervious freight cover for covering the x-rayed freight, the cover comprising a top portion and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls joined at their upper ends to the top portion and joined at their respective sides to an adjacent sidewall so tat the top portion and sidewalls together form an open box-shaped structure which fits over and covers the freight, each of the sidewalls also having a bottom edge, the cover further comprising fastening means for securing the cover to the freight, wherein the fastening means comprises a first strap positioned along the bottom edge of at least the first sidewall, and a second strap positioned along the bottom edge of at least the third sidewall, the first strap having a first end connected to an attachment device and a second end terminating in a loop, the second strap having first end connected to an attachment device and a second end terminating in a loop, wherein the attachment devices of the first and second straps each comprise a bundle having a plurality of spaced apart ringed openings therethrough, and wherein the cover is secured to the freight by inserting the loop of the first strap through one of the ringed openings in the handle of the second strap, and by inserting the loop of the second strap through one of the ringed openings in the handle of the first strap; and

a locking device applied to the fastening means for locking the cover to the freight.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the locking device includes an electronic memory which is programmed with a unique code which identifies the freight and indicates whether it bus been tampered with.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein a locking device is inserted through the loop of the first strap and the ringed opening in the handle of the second strap and locked, and a locking device is inserted through the loop of the second strap and the ringed opening in the handle of the first strap and locked to lock the cover on the freight.