Cargo security method and apparatus

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.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . 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, and a first set of zipper teeth positioned adjacent the bottom edges of the sidewalls, the cover further comprising a separate bottom portion dimensioned to receive the freight and having a flat bottom surrounded by upstanding sidewalls which are joined at their lower ends to the flat bottom and which terminate in an upper edge, the bottom portion further including a second set of zipper teeth carried by the upper edge of the upstanding sidewalls for interlocking cooperation with the first set of zipper teeth, and at least one zipper slidably mounted on one of the first and second sets of zipper teeth to zip the first and second sets of zipper teeth into interlocking engagement, the zipper further including a zipper pull; and    c. inserting a locking device through the zipper pull and locking the locking device to lock the cover on the freight.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , 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.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , 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.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , 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.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , 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 inserting the locking device through the zipper pull to lock the cover on the freight.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 24 , 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 inserting the locking device through the zipper pull to lock the cover on the freight.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the cover includes a second zipper mounted on one of the first and second sets of zipper teeth and the second zipper also includes a zipper pull.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the locking device is inserted through the zipper pulls of both zippers and locked.  
   
   
       32 . 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 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;    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, and a first set of zipper teeth positioned adjacent the bottom edges of the sidewalls, the cover further comprising a separate bottom portion dimensioned to receive the freight and having a flat bottom surrounded by upstanding sidewalls which are joined at their lower ends to the flat bottom and which terminate in an upper edge, the bottom portion further including a second set of zipper teeth carried by the upper edge of the upstanding sidewalls for interlocking cooperation with the first set of zipper teeth, and at least one zipper slidably mounted on one of the first and second sets of zipper teeth to zip the first and second sets of zipper teeth into interlocking engagement, the zipper further including a zipper pull; and    a locking device applied to the zipper pull of the zipper for locking the cover to the freight.    
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 32 , 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.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the cover includes a second zipper mounted on one of the first and second sets of zipper teeth and the second zipper also includes a zipper pull.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the locking device is inserted through the zipper pulls of both zippers and locked.