Sealed freight enclosure

Abstract

A serial number can be applied to a lock. The lock can be used to lock a freight enclosure. The freight enclosure can be transported. The serial number can be checked after transport of the freight enclosure to see if the serial number is correct. The lock may be a seal which can only be opened by breaking the lock. The lock can be checked to see if the lock has been broken after transport of the freight enclosure. If the lock has been broken, an indication can be placed in a log book that the lock has been broken or of an entity who last sent the freight enclosure. The freight enclosure may be checked for rips. The serial number may be applied by engraving.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 applying a serial number to a lock;    using the lock to lock a freight enclosure;    transporting the freight enclosure; and    checking the serial number after transport of the freight enclosure to see if the serial number is correct.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the lock is a seal which can only be opened by breaking the lock;  
 and further comprising checking to see if the lock has been broken after transport of the freight enclosure.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising 
 if the lock has been broken, placing an indication in a log book that the lock has been broken.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising 
 If the lock has been broken placing an indication in a log book of an entity who last sent the freight enclosure.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 checking to see if the freight enclosure has any rips.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the serial number is applied to the lock by fixing the serial number to the lock so that the serial number cannot be altered without defacing the lock.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein 
 the serial number is engraved on the lock.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the freight enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion;  
 wherein the top portion is connected to the bottom portion by a connection device;  
 wherein the connection device is locked by the lock which prevents the top portion from being separated from the bottom portion.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the serial number uniquely identifies the freight enclosure.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein 
 the connection device is comprised of: 
 a first set of zipper teeth located on the top portion which is linked to a second set of zipper teeth located on the bottom portion.  
 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein 
 the connection device is further comprised of a first zipper which has a first loop which is connected to the lock and the lock prevents the first zipper from unlinking the first set of zipper teeth from the second set of zipper teeth.  
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein 
 the connection device is further comprised of a second zipper which has a second loop which is connected to the lock and the lock connects the first zipper with the second zipper and prevents the first and second zippers from unlinking the first set of zipper teeth from the second set of zipper teeth.  
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein 
 the top portion has a box structure comprised of first, second, third, and fourth sides and a top side which enclose a first area;  
 the bottom portion has a box structure comprised of a first, second, third, and fourth sides and a bottom side which enclose a second area;  
 wherein the second area enclosed by the bottom portion is smaller than the first area enclosed by the top portion so the top portion can fit over the bottom portion;  
 and wherein when the top portion is connected to the bottom portion, the top portion at least partially overlaps over the bottom portion.  
 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 using the lock to lock a freight enclosure;    transporting the freight enclosure; and    wherein the lock is a seal which can only be opened by breaking the lock;    and further comprising checking to see if the lock has been broken after transport of the freight enclosure.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising 
 if the lock has been broken, placing an indication in a log book that the lock has been broken.  
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising 
 If the lock has been broken placing an indication in a log book of an entity who last sent the freight enclosure.  
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising 
 checking to see if the freight enclosure has any rips.  
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein 
 the freight enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion;  
 wherein the top portion is connected to the bottom portion by a connection device;  
 wherein the connection device is locked by the lock which prevents the top portion from being separated from the bottom portion.  
 
     
     
         19 . A method for enclosing freight comprising 
 placing the freight onto a bottom portion;    placing a top portion over the bottom portion;    attaching the top portion to the bottom portion;    and subsequently completely detaching the bottom portion from the top portion.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising 
 locking the top portion to the bottom portion with a lock.  
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein 
 the lock is a seal which can only be opened by breaking the lock.