Composite anti-tamper container with embedded devices

• US 20060285440A1
• Filed: 07/14/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ANGEL Secure Networks, Inc., University of Maine System Board of Trustees
• Original Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
• Inventors: Dagher, Habib J., Smith, Fred Hewitt
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 367/149
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2590/0083 Computer or electronic system, e.g. GPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/00 Component parts, details or accessories for large containers B65D88/34 - B65D88/78 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/02 Wall construction arrangements of leakage-indicating devices comprising hollow spaces within walls B65D90/501; arrangements of leakage-indicating devices comprising porous spaces or porous layers in walls B65D90/505; arrangements of leakage-indicating devices comprising electrically conductive layers in walls B65D90/513
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/22 Safety features floating covers B65D88/34; arrangements of indicating or measuring devices B65D90/48; fire-fighting A62C
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 9/004 using fibre optic sensors light guides per se G02B6/00, acousto-optical devices specially adapted for gating or modulating in optical wave guides G02F1/125
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/126 for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A design and manufacturing methods for reusable, stackable shipping containers made from composite materials is described. The composite material is embedded with optical fibers, data and electrical paths, and various types of components. These embedded devices are capable of detecting intrusions through the container walls, securely storing and processing information, and securely communicating information to other containers and to remote devices.

Claims

1. A container with an integral breach detection system, comprising:

a plurality of panels that define the volume of the container, wherein a portion of at least one panel includes a continuous material;

at least one optical fiber that is in contact with the continuous material, wherein the optical fiber is configured to propagate radiation from a source connected to the optical fiber; and

a sensor configured to detect a variation in the propagated radiation that is caused by an external condition imposed on the container.

2. The breach detection system of claim 1, wherein the detected variation includes an interruption of the propagating radiation caused by a break in the optical fiber.

3. The breach detection system of claim 1, wherein the detected variation includes a degradation of the propagating radiation caused by a stress imposed on the optical fiber.

4. The breach detection system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is embedded in the continuous material.

5. The breach detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second optical fiber embedded in the container, wherein the second optical fiber is positioned orthogonal to the first optical fiber.

6. The breach detection system of claim 1, wherein the continuous material includes composite material.

7. The breach detection system of claim 1, wherein the continuous material includes a composite material that contains a reinforced polymer structure.

8. The breach detection system of claim 1, wherein a portion of at least one of the panels includes a continuous material between a metallic outer surface and a metallic inner surface, wherein the optical fiber extends through the continuous material.

9. The breach detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor configured to initiate sending a signal that represents the detected variation.

10. The breach detection system of claim 9, wherein the processor is embedded in the continuous material.

11. The breach detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second container that includes a plurality of panels in which a portion of at least one panel includes a continuous material, wherein a first processor associated with the first container is in communication with a second processor that is embedded in the continuous material of the second container.

12. The breach detection system of claim 11, wherein detecting the absence of communication between the first processor and the second processor is designated as a interposition of a rogue container.

13. The breach detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch to pulse the propagating of the radiation in the optical fiber.

14. The breach detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery to provide power to the source.

15. The breach detection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a coupler that is configured to couple the propagated radiation across a door included in the container.

16. A stack of containers with an integral breach detection system, comprising:

a plurality of containers that each include a plurality of panels that define the volume of each respective container, wherein each container includes at least one panel that includes a continuous material portion;

a plurality of optical fiber grids that are respectively embedded in each portion of continuous material, wherein each optical fiber grid is configured to propagate radiation from at least one source respectively connected to the optical fiber grid; and

a plurality of sensors configured to detect a variation in the propagated radiation that is caused by an external condition imposed on the -respective container, wherein the sensors are configured to pass data that represents the detected variation among each other.

17. The breach detection system of claim 16, wherein the external condition includes data passing being interrupted by a rogue container positioned in the stack.

18. The breach detection system of claim 16, wherein the external condition includes the breaking of at least one optical fiber included in one of the optical fiber grids.

19. The breach detection system of claim 16, wherein the external condition includes stress being sensed by at least one optical fiber included in one of the optical fiber grids.

20. A container with an integral breach detection system, comprising:

a substantially monolithic container that includes a portion implemented with a continuous material;

at least one optical fiber that is embedded in the continuous material, wherein the optical fiber is configured to propagate radiation from a source connected to the optical fiber; and

a sensor configured to detect a variation in the propagated radiation that is caused by an external condition imposed on the container.

21. The breach detection system of claim 20, wherein the detected variation includes an interruption of the propagating radiation caused by a break in the optical fiber.