Abstract:
Method and apparatus for securing a pallet, crate, or similar shipping containers against pilferage using a pallet seal including one or more parts, and having one or more locking devices are included. The seal can be secured against the clip on the pallet banding, completely covering and protecting the clip from tampering. The seal can have specific seal number and marking, color, or other features that makes it almost impossible to duplicate. Further the seal can have the capability to include RFID tags, Bar Code, and or custom marking and can be applied to the banding clips without a use of any tool or secondary seal or number.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation in part of claims priority to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/463,195 filed May 3, 2012, which itself claims priority to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 61/519,818 filed on May 31, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present embodiments relate to securing a shipping pallet or crate. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A need exists for a method or an apparatus to properly secure the clip on the banding used on pallets and crates in order to prevent tampering of its contents. 
     Everyday billions of dollars in goods are shipped around the world via air, ocean, truck, or rail Security and protection of cargo is a major issue for shippers, carriers, insurance companies, end-users, and now TSA and national security. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus that allows shippers to protect cargo, maintain chain of custody through special and unique serial numbering, prevent clip from attack, and can be applied to existing clips on banding without use of a tool. 
     Therefor a need exists for an apparatus to secure and protect the contents of pallet and crate shipments from pilferage. 
     The present embodiments meet these needs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description can be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1 : Pallet and Crate Seal—Open view of Cover and Base 
         FIG. 2 : Open view of band and clip situated inside the seal 
         FIG. 3 : Open view of Seal Base 
         FIG. 4 : Top view of Seal Base 
         FIG. 5 : End Cross-Section view of Seal Base showing hinge, landing, and lock 
         FIG. 6 : End Cross-Section view of Seal Base showing locking features 
         FIG. 7 : Frontal Cross-Section view displaying Cover security fin 
         FIG. 8 : Frontal Cross-Section view displaying locking system 
         FIG. 9 : Top view of Seal Cover showing various security features 
         FIG. 10 : Side view of Seal Cover showing various security features 
         FIG. 11 : View of Seal showing applied clip to banding 
         FIG. 12 : Shows a typical pallet or crate and location of banding and clip 
         FIG. 13 : Top plan view of a cover in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
         FIG. 14 : End Cross-Section view of a cover in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal taken at line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13   
         FIG. 15 : Frontal Cross-Section view of a cover in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal taken at line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13   
         FIG. 16 : Enlarged view of a barbed lock 
         FIG. 17 : Front elevation of a cover in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
         FIG. 18 : End elevation of a cover in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
         FIG. 19 : Perspective view of a cover in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
         FIG. 20 : Top plan view of a base in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
         FIG. 21 : Perspective view of a base in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
         FIG. 22 : Front elevation of a base in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
         FIG. 23 : Enlarged view of a barbed lock 
         FIG. 24 : End view of a base in an embodiment of a pallet and crate seal 
     
    
    
     The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the present apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways. 
     The present embodiments relate to a pallet and crate seals which can be applied to a banding clip in order to secure the banding and hence the pallet or crate. 
     While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 
     The G2G Pallet Seal can have one, two or more sections of plastic, metal, or other suitable material, with either a male and female part or a single locking part which can enclose and protect the pallet clip. The size of the seal produced can vary depending on the size of the clip being applied to the banding. 
     Each seal can have one or more parts that when applied can create a self-locking device protecting the clip on the band. The current two-piece version showed has interlocking male and female parts. 
     Once the clip has been securely positioned inside the seal, then the seal can be closed by applying pressure to the top and bottom portion of the seal allowing the locking devices to engage and secure the seal. 
     After the clip has been applied to a banding on a pallet or crate, then the G2G Seal can be applied to the clip by simply sliding it under the clip until the clip is situated inside the seal and then the seal is closed. 
     A special barcode and or serial numbering prevent duplication of the seal. Once the seal is closed the clip cannot be attacked and hence the banding is secured. The banding can now be removed only by cutting the banding and the clip cannot be accessed unless by destroying the seal hence indicating tampering. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the seal to include a Cover  1  and a Base  2 . 
     In  FIG. 2  the Clip  3  is applied to Banding  4  arid placed inside the designated location inside recessed area  5  of seal base as indicated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the recessed area  5  where the clip will reside. Further hinge  6  allows easy movement of Cover  1  and Base  2  to allow seal to close without breaking before application. In addition interior wall  7  protects against attempts to pick the locking system from the opening where banding is passed through Base  2 . Finally a special cavity  8  is added so that fin  23  shown in  FIG. 9  can rest to secure against side to side movement. 
     In  FIG. 4  which is the top view of the seal Base  2 , we can clearly see the locking system being protected in area  9  with interior wall  7  preventing tampering. 
     Cross section of  FIG. 5  of Seal shows the Seal Cover  1  recessed into Seal Base  2 . Further clip landing area  11  is shown as well as closed hinge  12  which allows for easy closer of seal and prevents against tampering. The closed hinge  12  is constructed using special material that will break if a screw driver or another object is used to force open the seal, hence indicating tampering. 
     Once the seal is closed in  FIG. 6 ,  13  shows the locking system cross section as a result of the female locking body  17  shown in  FIG. 8  on seal Cover  1  being forced down into Base  2  engaging with the hook on the male locking part  16  in  FIG. 8 . 
     In  FIG. 7  the seal Cover  1  has protruding fins  14  that when seal is closed is lowered into the inside section of seal Base  2  recessed area  5 , pushing against interior wall  7 . This helps prevent any tampering of the locking system through banding entrance and keeps the Clip  3  secure in the recessed area  5 . 
     Once the seal is closed in  FIG. 8 , male fin  15  on seal Cover  1  is placed in the special Cavity  8  in Base  2  and female locking body  17  is locked into male locking part  16  forming the closed seal. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a view while  FIG. 10  shows the side view of the bottom of the seal Cover  1  showing various security features. Curved top portion of the hinge  18  is inserted into bottom hinge portion  6  forming the complete hinge  12 . Two security walls  23  and  19  the same as in shown in  14  protect the locking and hinge mechanism from attack. Upon seal closure special security fin  20  lands in special cavity recess  8   a  in  FIG. 3 . This prevents the cover  1  from moving in Base  2  and the fin will break if attempt is made to force the cover off therefore indicating tampering. Special protruded wall  21  on Cover  1  is pushed against the banding  4  eliminating any gap between the Banding  4  and the seal body therefore eliminating access to Clip  3 . The inner walls of recessed area  5  along with this protruded wall  21  will hold the Clip  3  securely in place in recessed area  5 . The female locking arm  22  that is the same as  17  shown in  FIG. 8  is shown to secure the lock. Finally the extended lip  24  which is located on both seal Cover  1  and Base  2  will extend the seal security body. 
     This helps prevent any used of screw driver or tool to try and force the clip  3  from its recessed area  5 . If an attempt is made the extended lip  24  will indicate tampering. 
       FIG. 11  shows the closed and applied seal showing the Clip  3  enclosed in the seal  25 . The seal can also have unique markings, bar coding, coloring, and numbering in addition to optional RPID or other security measure in order to prevent counterfeiting or tampering. 
       FIG. 12  indicates location of a typical Pallet  26  or Crate  27  containing the Clip  3  and Banding  4 . 
       FIG. 13-19  illustrate the cover for an alternative embodiment of a pallet and crate seal in which barbed locks and a protective flange are formed and arranged.  FIG. 14  shows the opening in the body which receives the pallet strap buckle or lock.  FIG. 15  shows a series of barbed locks, with  FIG. 16  providing an enlarged view of barbed lock  30  showing a downwardly projecting leg  32  with acutely angled projections  34  that will securely lock and resist opening.  FIGS. 13 ,  17 ,  18  and  19  additionally illustrate projecting flanges  36  that have a top portion and side wall portions that project over the band or strap and provide protection against access such as by prying tools to the interior. 
       FIG. 20-24  illustrate the base for an alternative embodiment of a pallet and crate seal in which barbed locks and projecting tabs are formed and arranged.  FIG. 21  shows the projecting tabs which form a floor of the opening in the closed seal which receives the pallet strap buckle or lock and over which the protective flange fits.  FIGS. 22 and 24  show pairs of barbed locks, with  FIG. 23  providing an enlarged view of barbed lock  40  showing a updownwardly projecting leg  42  with acutely angled projections  44  that will engage projections  34  when closed to securely lock and resist opening of the cover and base assembly. Preferably leg  42  has angled A of about two degrees, plus or minus about one degree towards projections  44 . The upper face of projections  44  at angle B are about 54 degrees from horizontal, plus or minus about two degrees. The engagement face of projections  44  at angle C are about 15 degrees from horizontal, plus or minus about two degrees. 
     When cargo is ready to be shipped boxes are usually placed on a pallet, crate or containers, and then banding is secured by a metal clip and applied to secure the cargo. After the banding is applied then the seal is applied to the clip enclosing and protecting the clip. The seal is now secured and cannot be removed except by destroying the seal or cutting the banding where tampering of cargo is indicated. 
     The locking system has been designed in a way to provide maximum protection against tampering. Features have been included that can prevent tampering using common tools. Material used to produce the product can include measure to prevent use of acids, or Freon to defeat the locking system. 
     Other measure such as bar coding, use of clear polycarbonate material, special marking and or bar codes, can provide additional security measures. 
     The above described embodiments of the present invention thereby accomplish the 20 stated objectives by providing substantial theft proof method and apparatus for sealing shipping pallets, crates, and similar shipping containers. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in certain terms or certain embodiments or modifications that it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be nor should it be deemed to be limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the scope of the breadth and scope of the claims here appended