Secure package system and method

Abstract

A secure shipping parcel invention (1) is described that includes features to protect against unauthorized entry (51) and / or contamination by biological agents. Technologies employed may be tamper evident features (60) that make it obvious someone has attempted to gain entry (50), high tech materials that make it impossible to enter without destroying the parcel or its contents unless specific steps are taken, antistatic (20) additives to inhibit contact with airborne particles, and anti-microbial (5,10) additives that kill biological agents on contact.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims a benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 331,844, filed Nov. 20, 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates in general to the field of packages. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved parcel and delivery method that increases security and decreases the risk of contamination or theft. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005] The shipping, transportation and postal service industries as a whole have, for years, been exposed to liability from lost, damaged or stolen goods currently estimated to impact the economy with $54 billion in losses annually. As of the Sep. 11, 2001 U.S. bombing tragedy and following anthrax scare, these industries have scrambled to investigate and develop safety mea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0033] Unlike traditional corrugated parcel packaging which requires no less than a cutting knife to gain access to contents of package resulting in theft, the invention utilizes lightweight yet high-strength plastic and exotic materials which affords high strength and durability and contains a high degree of security technology to prevent against unauthorized entry resulting in significant reduction in losses due to theft.

[0047] Yet another aim of the invention is to provide an improved parcel of tamper indicating evident or resistive mechanism whereby entry authorization properties prevent theft in transit.

Problems solved by technology

However, there is one area that's been a longtime security problem that's just now beginning to get the kind of attention it deserves.

Historically, parcel and cargo security has been one of the weakest links in the global supply chain.

Because of limited and random security around tens of millions of shipments flowing constantly in and out of global seaports, airports, truck terminals, rail yards and across international borders, the potential for mayhem is and always has been high.

The sheer volume of international cargo traffic renders traditional security measures nearly futile.

One indication of how large the problem of cargo security has become, is the sheer amount of cargo that is stolen every year.

What is most troubling is the apparent ease with which this larceny is carried out and the lack of information on how these thefts are perpetrated.

As valuable shipments are transported around the world, there is very little visibility into how different carriers manage security or where goods are actually stolen.

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