Property and evidence preservation system

• US 7,013,619 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearwater Packaging, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clearwater Packaging, Inc.
• Inventors: Hoover, Cory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerrity, Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NASH, BRIAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/862,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 534/27, 534/61, 535/09, 206/223, 206/543, 206/460, 206/495, 206/497
• US Class Current: 53/427
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 17/04 by using removable coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/305 Skin packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2023 in a flexible container B65D81/2038 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of preserving evidence and later returning the same utilizing a package having an optically transparent film incorporating the evidence and a signed itemization thereof to produce a tamper evident package.

Claims

1. A method of preserving the integrity of discrete inventory of personal property for maintenance by law enforcement officials and later return thereof to an owner including the steps of:

assembling an inventory of personal property from the owner thereof to be preserved;

preparing a printed itemization of said inventory;

providing a supporting base for the support of said inventory;

placing at least a portion of said base, said inventory, and said printed itemization in a viewable tamper evident package; and

sealing said package for subsequent return to the owner of the personal property, wherein said printed itemization is encapsulated in said package to militate against tampering therewith and provide visual evidence of tampering.

2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said printed itemization includes the signature of the owner of said inventory.

3. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said tamper evident package further includes a transparent covering.

4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said covering is vacuumed formed to said base.

5. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said covering is a thin plastic film.

6. A method of preserving the integrity of items of personal property for later return to an owner of the personal property including the steps of:

assembling items of personal property;

preparing a printed itemization of said items of personal property;

providing a base for the support of said items of personal property;

placing said items of personal property and said printed itemization on said base; and

skin wrapping said items of personal property and said printed itemization to said base, wherein said printed itemization is encapsulated to militate against tampering therewith and provide visual evidence of tampering.

7. The method defined in claim 6 wherein said skin wrapping includes the use of an optically transparent film of plastic material.

8. The method defined in claim 7 wherein said base includes a porous board.

9. The method defined in claim 8 wherein said porous board includes a layer of adhesive.

10. The method defined in claim 9 wherein said adhesive is heat sensitive.

11. The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said printed itemization contains an indicia of the owner of said items of personal property.

12. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein said indicia includes the signature of the owner of said items of personal property.

13. A method of preserving the integrity of items of personal property for later return to an owner of the personal property including the steps of:

assembling items of personal property from the owner thereof to be preserved;

preparing a printed itemization of the property;

providing a base for supporting of said items of personal property;

obtaining a signature of the owner of the property on the printed itemization to verify the contents of the printed itemization; and

encapsulating the property, at least a portion of the base, and the printed itemization in a package, wherein the printed itemization is viewable from an outside of the package and an attempt to tamper with at least one of the property and the printed itemization is evidenced by physical damage to the package.

14. The method defined in claim 13 further comprising the step of providing a covering for vacuum forming to the base to form the package.

15. The method defined in claim 14 wherein the covering is a thin plastic film.

16. The method defined in claim 14 wherein said covering is a transparent plastic film.