Abstract:
A storage system and devices are provided for containing items and shielding the items from electromagnetic radiation, in particular, RF radiation, and holding the items in a waterproof environment. The storage system includes a first storage component which is constructed from a fabric having shieldable properties and is configured to envelope contents held therein in a shielded environment, and a second storage component which is constructed to receive the first storage component therein and provide waterproof storage for the contents. The storage system protects contents from unauthorized or surreptitious reads of stored data that may be carried on the content items by readers. The storage components of the storage system may be used independently of each other or together, as needed or desired.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to shieldable containment devices and systems, and more particularly to reusable shieldable bags for containing items that may be carried by an individual, and more particularly, a system and devices having waterproof and RF shieldable containment enclosures. 
         [0003]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There are more frequent uses of embedded storage media, such as chips, magnetic and other memory storing media in use today. For example, credit and debit cards, as well as identification cards for healthcare and insurance memberships, commonly utilize a magnetic strip that may be encoded with information. The coded stored information may be read when passed through a scanner so that the merchant or other service provider may read the information and/or import that information into a computer, such as a database or billing system. Other items, such as passports, used to identify individuals, contain digitally stored information which may be read by placing the passport in the vicinity of a scanner. 
         [0005]    However, not only may intended decoders and readers, such as card scanner, or passport scanners read the information, but also unintended scans may be carried out even without the individual intending or knowing that that is occurring. There is a great risk that information may be retrieved from a stored source, such as the aforementioned types, or others, and used for unethical or unlawful purposes. In the era of increased security concern, it is important to protect against identity thefts and espionage activities. 
         [0006]    A need exists for an easy and economical product that may be used to store items which a person may generally carry on them, such as credit and identification cards, and passports, and shield the stored contents from electromagnetic interference, such as, for example, electromagnetic radiation, including, for example, radio frequency and magnetic card decoders. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A storage system and devices configured to shield RF radiation and water from items stored using the system and devices is provided. According to one embodiment, a storage device is provided for containing items and shielding the items from electromagnetic radiation, and in particular from RF radiation. Items such as, for example, passports, credit cards, membership cards and others having a storage capability such as magnetic or RFID information storage. Where an object is within a particular magnetic field (such as near a transducer head) or within a radio frequency field in the case of a RFID, the information stored may be ascertained. For example, the RFID information may transmit stored information that may be received and read by a reader. In many cases, for the transmission of the RFID information to occur, all that need be applied is a particular frequency of RF energy. 
         [0008]    Items may be particularly vulnerable to information pirating or discovery by unauthorized readers. Though an individual may carry an item securely on one&#39;s person, that item, if encountering a radio frequency that causes a transmission of the information is still vulnerable. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of storage devices of the present invention provide a bag which may be carried by an individual and may be configured to receive RF and/or magnetically encoded items, such as, for example, passports or credit cards, and hold these items. The bag, according to a preferred embodiment, is constructed to envelop the contents in a shielding configuration to prevent accession of the information contained on the items by shielding electromagnetic radiation, including RF radiation. 
         [0010]    According to another embodiment, the storage system provided by the invention includes the benefits of shielding the contents as well as providing the additional benefit of a waterproof environment. According to a preferred embodiment, a multi component storage system is provided, where each component includes reclosable storage members. 
         [0011]    The storage components, such as, for example a bag, may be reused and, according to preferred embodiments, includes a closure which may be secured to maintain the contents from falling out, and may be selectively released to allow access to the stored contents. The closure, when secured, provides an enveloping shielding environment for the contents therein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a from elevation view of a storage system according to my invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of the first storage component of  FIG. 1 , shown separate from the other items, and being illustrated in a closed configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the first storage component of  FIG. 2  illustrated in an open configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a first storage component. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first storage component of  FIG. 4  shown in an open condition. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a first storage component looking from the top of the component into the opening, with the component being shown in a sectional view taken along the horizontal line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of the first storage component alternate embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of the first storage component of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the first storage component of  FIG. 7  illustrated in an open configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a storage system  10  is illustrated comprising a first containment member  11  and a second containment member  12 . Also illustrated are examples of content items, such as the passport  100  and PDA/phone  101 , which may be stored within the storage system. According to a preferred embodiment, the storage system  10  first containment member  11  may be constructed from a flexible fabric material which may be stored in a pocket of a person&#39;s clothing or outer garments, such as a jacket. 
         [0022]    The first containment member  11  is illustrated according to a preferred embodiment having a front or first panel  13  and back or second panel  14  which are joined together or folded at their edges  15 ,  16 . A closure  20  is provided at the top of the first panel  13  and second panel  14  and includes a first closure portion  21  and a second closure portion  22 . The closure portions  21 ,  22  preferably may be reinforced with a layer of material such as the cover layers  24 ,  25  which overlay the respective surfaces of the first closure panel  21  and second closure panel  22 . 
         [0023]    The first containment member  11 , which is shown configured as a flexible bag, preferably is constructed from a material that is reflective of, or shields, electromagnetic radiation, including for example, at least the RF radiation energy frequencies that are used to read information, such as information encoded on passports and the like. For example, the bag  11  may be constructed from material, such as, for example, thin metal wire conjugated yarn where a thin wire is intermingled with natural or synthetic fibers. One example is a core of a thin metal wire having a core diameter of about 0.50μ or less and a natural or synthetic fiber, and disposed around the core an additional natural or synthetic fiber. This yarn may, for example, be used to produce a fabric that may form the bag panels and closure panels. According to alternate embodiments, other examples of shieldable fabric include metallically treated fabric. 
         [0024]    According to a preferred embodiment, the first panel  13  and second panel  14  are formed from a conductive shielding material fabric. According to one preferred embodiment, the conductive shielding material is formed from a fabric having a weight of about 4 oz/yd of nickel/copper treated polyester. The polyester, for example, according to a preferred embodiment, may be a taffeta. According to a preferred embodiment, the conductive shielding material fabric used may have a shielding effectiveness of between about 89-91 dB in the range of 100 MHz-1 GHz. A preferred embodiment of the first containment member  11  may be constructed from a polyester taffeta having a weight of about 4 oz/yd of a metal treated polyester, such as, for example, nickel/copper, and has shielding effectiveness to shield RF energy frequencies of the type used to read information on passports, identification, credit or debit cards, and other items which a person may carry. 
         [0025]    According to one embodiment, the first containment member  11  was constructed with nickel/copper treated polyester and was durable and possessed suitable strength for retaining items within the first containment member  11 . 
         [0026]    The closure  20  is configured to include a fastening element  30 , such as, for example, a hook and loop fastener arrangement as illustrated in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 . A surface of hooks  31  is provided on one of the closure panels, such as on the second closure portion  22 , and a surface of loops  32 , which are matingly associated to be retained by and released from the hooks  31 , is provided on a panel forming the body, such as on the outer surface of the front panel  13 . The hook and loop surfaces  31 ,  32 , respectively, may be attached to secure the closure panels portions  21 ,  22  over the open end portion  40  of the bag  11 . The closure  20  preferably is constructed from two closure portions, such as the panel portions  21 ,  22  respectively. According to a preferred embodiment, a content “fill line” is illustrated as a folding axis where a folding of the closure panels  21 ,  22  forward or rearward direction is accomplished to close the containment member  11 . The closure panel portions  21 ,  22  preferably are each provided to have a length to provide a substantially overlap of the folded end (as may be measured relative to the “fill line”) of the bag  11 , when the bag is folded in a closed configuration. 
         [0027]    According to some embodiments, elements for facilitating opening of the containment member  11  optionally may be provided. According to a preferred embodiment, openers  17 ,  18  are shown provided on the first panel  13  and second panel  14 , preferably at the closure panel portions  21 ,  22 , respectively. The openers  17 ,  18  facilitate separation of the closure surfaces  31 ,  32 , respectively. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , according to a preferred embodiment, the closure panel portions  21 ,  22  and the respective closure cover layers  24 ,  25  may be formed by stitching, as shown by the stitching  44 ,  45 . 
         [0029]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the system  10  includes a second containment member  12  which is constructed from a waterproof material, such as, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. A watertight closure  50  is provided, such as, for example the plastic zipper  51 , which may, for example, include a configuration of one or more grooves and one or more protrusions which lockingly mate with each other to form a seal. The seal formed preferably is watertight, airtight, and leak proof. The material or film from which the second containment member  12  is constructed and the watertight closure  50  together provide a waterproof environment for contents placed and sealed within the second containment member  12 . According to a preferred embodiment, the second containment member  12  of the system  10  is sized to receive the first containment member  11  therein. The shielding provided by the first containment member  11  is provided when the first containment member  11  is placed in the second containment member  12 . The second containment member is illustrated in  FIG. 1  being formed with welds  55 ,  56  on each lateral edge  53 ,  54  thereof, and having a bottom edge  57  which preferably may be formed by a weld  58 . 
         [0030]    An alternate embodiment of a first containment member  111  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The first containment member  111  preferably is constructed from materials described herein in connection with the first containment member  12 , shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The first containment member  111  is formed from a single sheet of fabric  113 , which is illustrated being folded to form the bottom edge  119 . The edges  115 ,  116  of the first containment member  111  are formed by folding the panel  113  at each lateral edge thereof to create folds  130 ,  131  on the front panel portion  114   a . Preferably, the panel  113  also is folded at each lateral edge thereof to create folds  132 ,  133  on the rear panel portion  114   b . The lateral edges  115 ,  116  are joined together, preferably, by joining the adjacent folds  130  and  132  of the first panel edge  115  and joining the adjacent folds  131 ,  133  at the second panel edge  116 . Suitable joining means is provided. Preferably, as illustrated, the joining means is shown as a thread  129 , such as nylon, cotton, or other composition, of suitable strength to hold the seam together to withstand repeated placement and removal of objects within the first containment member  111 , as well as folding and storage the device  111 . Closure portions  121 ,  122  are provided for facilitating closing and opening of the panel portions  114   a ,  114   b .  FIG. 5  illustrates the first containment member  111  in an open condition, with the closure portions  121 ,  122  separated from each other. According to the preferred embodiments, the closure portions preferably are constructed so that one closure portion  121  has a first surface of hooks or loops  123 , and the other closure portion has a mating surface of the other of hooks or loops  124 . Stitching  144 ,  145  may be used to facilitate attachment of the closure portions  121 ,  122  to a respective inner surface of the front panel portion  114   a  and rear panel portion  114   b  (the inner surface  114   c  of the rear panel portion  114   b  being illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the inner surface of panel portion  114   a  not being shown). Openers  117 ,  118  are provided for facilitating separation of the closure portions  121 ,  122 . Preferably, the openers  117 ,  118  are provided at or proximate to the top edges  147 ,  148  of the respective front and rear panel portions  114   a ,  114   b . The first containment member  111  preferably is configured to be received within the second containment member  12  (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ). 
         [0031]    An alternate embodiment of a bag or first containment member  211  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 . The first containment member  211  is configured as a flexible bag, and is constructed from a suitable shielding material. For example, the material preferably is a material that is reflective of, or shields, electromagnetic radiation, including for example, at least the RF radiation energy frequencies that are used to read information, such as information encoded on passports and the like. Some examples of materials that may be use to construct the first containment member  211  include those discussed herein in connection with the first containment member  11  and  111  shown and described herein. The front view of the first containment member  211  preferably may be similar to the front view of the first containment member  111 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , the first containment member  211  has a front or first panel  213  and back or second panel  214  which are joined together or folded at their edges  215 ,  216 . According to a preferred embodiment, the first panel  213  and second panel  214  may be formed from a single panel sheet. A second or inner layer  250  is provided and is shown in the inside out view of  FIG. 7  with a seam  251  at its lower portion  252  and a joining seam  252  being disposed between the side edges  253 ,  254 . The seam  252  preferably is disposed at a location between the side edges  253 ,  254 . The first or outer layer  220  is shown having a first or front panel  213  and a back or second panel  214 . The lateral edges  215 ,  216  of the first containment member  211  preferably are joined together with suitable joining means, such as, for example, the joining means shown and described herein in connection with the other embodiments. Preferably, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 , the joining means is shown comprising a thread  229 , such as nylon, cotton, or other composition, of suitable strength to hold the seam together to withstand repeated placement and removal of objects within the first containment member  211 , as well as folding and storage the device  211 . 
         [0033]    The second or inner layer  250  preferably is attached with suitable attachment means so that the second or inner layer  250  together with the first or outer layer forms the bag of the first containment member  211 . 
         [0034]    A closure is provided to cover the opening  240  of the bag  211  and regulate access to the contents of the bag  211  and cover the opening. According to a preferred embodiment, the first containment member has a closure  220  provided at the top of the first panel  213  and second panel  214  and includes a first closure portion  221  and a second closure portion  222 . The closure portions  221 ,  222  preferably may be reinforced with a layer of material such as the cover layers  224 ,  225  which overlay the respective surfaces of the first closure panel  221  and second closure panel  222 . In a preferred embodiment of the bag  211  illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 , the inner layer  250  may be configured to form the closure portions  221 ,  222  along with the outer layer first panel  213  and second panel  214 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the closure  220  is configured to include a fastening element  230 , such as, for example, a hook and loop fastener arrangement as illustrated in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 5 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , a surface of hooks  231  is provided on one of the closure panels, such as on the second closure portion  222 , and a surface of loops  232 , which are matingly associated to be retained by and released from the hooks  231 , is provided on a panel forming the body, such as on the outer surface of the front panel  213 . The surface of hooks  231  and surface of loops  232  preferably are secured together to the outer front panel  213  and inner panel  250 , and the outer back panel  214  and inner panel  250 , respectively. 
         [0036]    Similar to the embodiment shown and described herein in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , the hook and loop surfaces  231 ,  232 , respectively, may be attached to secure the closure panels portions  221 ,  222  over the open end portion  240  of the bag  211 . The closure  220  preferably is constructed from two closure portions, such as the panel portions  221 ,  222  respectively. According to a preferred embodiment, a content “fill line” may be provided, similar to the line illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as a folding axis where a folding of the closure panels  221 ,  222  forward or rearward direction is accomplished to close the containment member  211 . The closure panel portions  221 ,  222  preferably are each provided to have a length to provide a substantially overlap of the folded end (as may be measured relative to the “fill line”) of the bag  211 , when the bag  211  is folded in a closed configuration. 
         [0037]    As shown in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , according to a preferred embodiment, the closure panel portions  221 ,  222  and the respective closure cover layers  224 ,  225  may be formed by stitching, as shown by the stitching  244 ,  245  in  FIG. 7 . The stitching preferably may secure the inner layer  250  and front panel  213  and rear panel  214  together at the closure. Additional edge stitching or treatment, not shown, may be provided to finish the edges of the closure panel portions  221 ,  222 , and the edges of the respective layers  250  and  213 , and  250  and  214 . The containment member  211  may have openers  217 ,  218  similar to those openers  117 ,  118 , described above, at the closure panel portions  221 ,  222 , respectively. 
         [0038]    The fabric material from which the first containment member  11 ,  111 ,  211  is constructed preferably comprises a metallic containing shielding material, such as, for example, a shieldable fabric. The shielding capability of the fabric, preferably, provides sufficient shielding of electromagnetic radiation, including, electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves that are transmitted for cellular telephone communications. According to preferred embodiments, the bags or first containment members  11 ,  111 ,  211  may be constructed from a suitable shielding fabric material that has a shielding effectiveness of at least about 30 dB, and preferably at least 60 dB, from 30 MHz to 1 GHz. A suitable material from which the bags  11 ,  111 , and  211  may be constructed is a silver nylon rip stop material, which is a conductive shielding material. A first containment member  11  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  having a folded over closure  20 , where the closure panels  21 ,  22  are folded, and a first containment member  211  is shown in  FIGS. 7-9  having a closure  220  with closure panels  221 ,  222 . According to alternate embodiments, the closures  20 ,  220  may be provided having a suitable size to permit closure panels  21 ,  22  and  221 ,  222  to be folded over a first time and a second time, or to be folded over multiple times. 
         [0039]    While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Devices according to the invention, such as, for example, the first containment member  11 ,  11  and  211 , shown and described herein, for example, may be used without the second containment member  12 , and the second containment member  12  carried along with the first containment member  11  (or  111 ,  211 ) for use as needed. The first containment member  11 ,  111 ,  211  may be constructed, as described herein, from a material which is smooth and may be used with clothing. Unlike metal storage safes, which routinely have sharp edges, the first containment member  11 ,  111 ,  211  provides a shieldable environment and may be carried within garments or clothing of an individual without being likely to puncture or otherwise tear the clothing. Various modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein and as defined by the appended claims.