Abstract:
An apparatus and method for enclosing freight to protect it from tampering is disclosed. The apparatus is a flexible, durable two-piece freight cover having a top piece and a bottom piece. The bottom piece is dimensioned to receive the freight and the top piece is dimensioned to cover the freight and join with the bottom piece via at least one zipper. A locking device is inserted through a loop on the zipper to prevent the zipper from unzipping and to lock the freight within the enclosure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 10/300,518, filed on Nov. 20, 2002, which is a divisional of and claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 09/568,113, filed on May 10, 2000, title “SEALED FREIGHT ENCLOSURE,” inventors and applicants Jeffrey Garfinkle and Pasquale Maglione; this application is also a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 10/385,994, filed on Mar. 11, 2003, which is also a divisional of and claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 09/568,113, filed on May 10, 2000. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     [Not Applicable] 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE  
       [0003]     [Not Applicable] 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for packaging, transport, and delivery of freight.  
         [0005]     In the air freight transportation industry, before an air freight pallet is received at its final destination, it must first go through several steps. The manufacturer&#39;s initial transportation agent wraps the pallet in plastic, tape, and in some cases chicken wire, the pallet is then sent via truck to the airport where it may stay, exposed to the elements (often rain) as well as exposed to potential theft for up to 24 hours pending being put on board a plane. Upon the plane&#39;s landing, the pallet is taken off the plane, at which point it may again remain for up to 24 hours pending pick-up by truck. After the trucking company picks up the pallet, it is delivered to another warehouse where the pallet is broken down into its deliverable parts and readied for delivery to its final destination.  
         [0006]     At each point in the pallet&#39;s journey, the receiving agent must sign for the freight and indicate, upon inspection, that the freight is intact—i.e. none of the goods are missing or damaged. The inspection, however, is almost never thorough. This is due to the fact that in order to reasonably conclude that the goods are intact, the receiving agent would have to remove the packaging material and examine every box. This is hardly practical as there are both time and manpower constraints, as well as the need for additional packaging upon the removal and therefore necessary disposal of this packaging.  
         [0007]     Since this method of inspection is impractical and therefore not utilized, the freight is merely assumed to be intact. If however, a portion has been damaged or lost, it will not be realized until the agent that breaks down the freight has prepared it for final delivery. At this point, time, manpower and considerable money has been lost, as the freight must be remanufactured and be reshipped, and insurance claims are filed by all agents claiming the theft or damage was not their responsibility.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention in one embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a freight enclosure comprising a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is connected to the bottom portion by a connection device. The connection device is locked by a lock which prevents the top portion from being separated from the bottom portion. The lock has a code or serial number which uniquely identifies the freight enclosure.  
         [0009]     The connection device may be 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. The connection device may be 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. The connection device may be 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.  
         [0010]     The lock may be a seal which can only be opened by breaking the lock, and after the lock is opened, the lock can not be locked again. The lock may be a metal seal.  
         [0011]     The top portion of the freight enclosure may have a box structure comprised of first, second, third, and fourth sides and a top side which enclose a first area. The bottom portion may have a box structure comprised of a first, second, third, and fourth sides and a bottom side which enclose a second area. The second area enclosed by the bottom portion may be smaller than the first area enclosed by the top portion so the top portion can fit over the bottom portion. When the top portion is connected to the bottom portion, the top portion may at least partially overlap over the bottom portion.  
         [0012]     The connection device may be comprised of a first part connected to the top portion, which may be a first set of zipper teeth and a second part connected to the bottom portion of the freight enclosure which may be a second set of zipper teeth. The first and second sets of teeth may be caused to connect by one or more zippers. The first part of the connection device is connected to the top portion so that it lies within the first enclosed area of the top portion.  
         [0013]     A first sealing section, which may be VELCRO (trademarked), may be located on the top portion of the freight enclosure and a second sealing section, which may be VELCRO (trademarked), may be located on the bottom portion of the freight enclosure. The first and second sealing sections can be joined together to seal the freight enclosure.  
         [0014]     In accordance with a method of an embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed comprising the steps of applying a serial number to a lock, wherein the lock is a seal which can only be opened by breaking the lock, using the lock to lock a freight enclosure, transporting the freight enclosure, and checking the lock after transport of the freight enclosure to see if the lock has been broken. If the lock has been broken, an indication may be placed in a log book that the lock has been broken and an indication may be placed in the log book of the entity who last sent the freight enclosure.  
         [0015]     The freight enclosure and a method of use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are particularly useful in the air freight transportation industry. Water damage to freight is reduced, pilferage of freight is reduced, cost of insurance claims filed subsequent to either water damage or pilferage is reduced (both the labor cost of filing claims, as well as unrecoverable increases in premium costs), and the use of non-recyclable plastic currently used as packaging for freight pallets is reduced or eliminated. There is a high cost for the non-recyclable plastic.  
         [0016]     The freight enclosure serves as an ongoing insurance policy that prevents water damage, deters thieves, reduces claims, and eliminates the need for non-recyclable, and therefore environmentally dangerous, plastic wrapping. All of this leads to intact freight, reduced expenses, and satisfied clients.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a freight enclosure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention including a top portion and a bottom portion with the top portion and bottom portion separated; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the freight enclosure of  FIG. 1  with the top and bottom portions attached together. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a freight enclosure  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention including a top portion  12  and a bottom portion  100  with the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  100  shown separated.  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the freight enclosure  10  of  FIG. 1  with the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  100  attached together.  
         [0020]     The top portion  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , has a box structure. The top portion  12  is comprised of side  14  (and an opposite side not shown), side  18  (and an opposite side not shown), and a top side  16 . The side  14  (and its opposing side), side  18  (and its opposing side), and top side  16  enclose a first area. The top portion  12  can be placed on top of freight, an object, or a package, so that the freight, object or package, lies inside the first area enclosed by the sides  14  and  18  (and their opposing sides) and the top side  16 .  
         [0021]     Side  18  of the top portion  12  is comprised of a VELCRO (trademarked) section  30  which may be comprised of hooks or loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system. The VELCRO (trademarked) section  30  may be thought of as a section of a sealing device in accordance with the present invention. Similarly, side  14  of the top portion  12  is comprised of a VELCRO (trademarked) section  32  which may be comprised of hooks or loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system. The VELCRO (trademarked) section  32  may be thought of as a section of a sealing device in accordance with the present invention. The VELCRO (trademarked) sections  30  and  32 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , lie inside the first area enclosed by the sides  14  and  18  (and their opposing sides) and top side  16 . There can also be a VELCRO (trademarked) section on the side opposite to side  18  near the bottom of that side, similar to opposing VELCRO (trademarked) section  30 , which also lies inside the box structure of top portion  12 . There can also be a VELCRO (trademarked) section on the side opposite side  14  near the bottom of that side, similar to opposing VELCRO (trademarked) section  32 , which also lies inside the box structure of top portion  12 . The VELCRO (trademarked) sections  30  and  32  on the top portion  12  are shown in dashed lines to show that they are inside the box structure of top portion  12 .  
         [0022]     The top portion  12  is also comprised of a first set of zipper teeth comprised of portions  20  and  22 . Portion  20  of the first set of zipper teeth has a plurality of zipper teeth (such as tooth  20   a ) which are attached to the side  18  of the top portion  12 . The side opposing side  18  (not shown) also has a plurality of corresponding zipper teeth, not shown. Portion  22  of the first set of zipper teeth has a plurality of zipper teeth (such as tooth  22   a ) which are attached to the side  14  of the top portion  12 . The side opposing side  14  (not shown) also has a plurality of corresponding zipper teeth, not shown. The zipper teeth of portions  20  and  22  and their opposing portions not shown, are seamlessly connected so that a zipper or zippers can move around the entire freight enclosure  10  along the first set of zipper teeth.  
         [0023]     The top portion  12  may be made of a durable waterproof fabric material, such as TYVEK (trademarked), which was created by DUPONT. TYVEK is a lightweight durable fabric that can withstand the punishment of the elements of the weather and of heavy usage. The first set of zipper teeth, including teeth on the sides  14  and  18  and their opposing sides, can be sewn into the fabric material of top portion  12 . The first set of zipper teeth can be sewn inside the first area enclosed by the sides  14  and  18  (and their opposing sides) and top side  16 . I.e. the first set of zipper teeth, in one embodiment, would not normally be able to be seen from the perspective shown by  FIG. 1  (unless the TYVEK material of top portion  12  is transparent), and for that reason in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of teeth  20  and  22  are shown in dashed lines.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  also shows a first zipper  40  and a second zipper  50 . The zippers  40  and  50  are connected to the teeth  20  and also lie inside the enclosed first area bounded by the sides  14  and  18  (and their opposing sides) and top side  16 . For that reason, the zippers  40  and  50  are shown in dashed lines also, because normally the zippers  40  and  50  could not be seen from the perspective shown by  FIG. 1 . Zippers  40  and  50  include attachment portions  42  and  52  which attach the respective zippers to the first set of zipper teeth, for example at portion  20 . Zippers  40  and  50  may include loop portion  44  having an opening  46  and loop portion  54  having an opening  56 , respectively.  
         [0025]     The bottom portion  100  also has a box structure. The bottom portion  100  is comprised of sides  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  110 , and bottom side  108 . The sides  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  110 , and  108  bound an enclosed area A 2  shown in  FIG. 1 . Side  110  of the bottom portion  100  is comprised of a VELCRO (trademarked) section  130  which may be comprised of hooks or loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system. The VELCRO (trademarked) section  130  may be thought of as a section of a sealing device in accordance with the present invention. Similarly, side  102  of the bottom portion  100  is comprised of a VELCRO (trademarked) section  132  which may be comprised of hooks or loops of a VELCRO (trademarked) system. The VELCRO (trademarked) section  132  may be thought of as a section of a sealing device in accordance with the present invention. The VELCRO (trademarked) sections  130  and  132 , in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , lie outside the area A 2 . There can also be a VELCRO (trademarked) section on the side  104  near the top of the side  104 , similar to opposing VELCRO (trademarked) section  120 , which also lies outside the area A 2 . There can also be a VELCRO (trademarked) section on the side  106  near the top of the side  106 , similar to opposing VELCRO (trademarked) section  132 , which also lies outside the area A 2 .  
         [0026]     The bottom portion  100  also includes a second set of teeth comprised of portions  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 . The second set of teeth (portion  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 ) on bottom portion  100  is designed to mesh with the first set of teeth on the top portion  12  comprised of portion  20  and its opposing portion not shown, and portion  22  and its opposing portion not shown as shown by  FIG. 2 . The zippers  40  and  50  are used to connect the first set of teeth of top portion  12  with the second set of teeth of bottom portion  100  to thereby cause top portion  12  to be connected to bottom portion  100  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0027]     The top portion  12  of the freight enclosure  10  has a height of HT which may be  59  inches. The bottom portion  100  has a height HB which may be 14 inches. When the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  100  are zipped together, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the top portion  12  overlaps the bottom portion  100  by a distance H 0 , which may be about three inches. The distance H 0  corresponds to the approximate internal location of the first set of teeth on the top portion  12  which are located about three inches up from an edge, such as edge  19  for side  18  shown in  FIG. 1 . After the top portion  12  and bottom portion  100  have been zipped together, the freight enclosure  10  has a final height of HF which may be seventy inches. The side  18  of top portion  12  may have a length LT which may be one hundred and thirty inches. The side  110  of the bottom portion  100  may have a length LB, shown in  FIG. 2  which may be slightly less than the length LT of the top portion  12  to allow the top portion  12  to overlap the bottom portion  100 . For example, LB may be one hundred and twenty-nine inches. A close fit should be provided.  
         [0028]     The side  14  of the top portion  12  may have a width WT which may be 93 inches. The side  102  of the bottom portion  100  may have a width WB which may be slightly less than 93 inches, such as for example 92 inches, again to allow top portion  12  to overlap bottom portion  100 .  
         [0029]     In operation, an individual would place the freight or package onto bottom side  108  of the bottom portion  100 . The freight enclosure  10  is particularly useful for enclosing freight loaded on a large pallet. The freight should be placed and should be of a size so that the top portion  12  can be placed on top of the freight and joined with the bottom portion  100  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The freight will lie in the combination enclosed area of the freight enclosure  10  which is bounded by top side  16 , sides  14  and  18  (and their opposing sides) of top portion  12  and bottom side  108 , sides  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  110  of the bottom portion  100 .  
         [0030]     The top portion  12  is placed over the freight and then zipped together to the bottom portion  100  by sliding the zippers  400  and  50  over the teeth  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  on the bottom portion  100  until all or virtually all of the first set of teeth on top portion  12  are linked to their appropriate partners on the second set of teeth on the bottom portion  100 . For example, in  FIG. 2 , tooth  120   a  of the second set of teeth on bottom portion  100  is linked to teeth  20   a  and  20   b  of the first set of teeth on top portion  12 . The first and second sets of teeth can be considered to be part of a connection device for connecting the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  100 .  
         [0031]     After all the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth are linked together, the zippers  40  and  50  are brought closely together so that the loops  44  and  54  overlap and opening  46  is on top of opening  56 . At that point, a ring or lock  60  may be placed through the openings  46  and  56  and used to join the zippers  40  and  50  so that the zippers  40  and  50  are connected together. The lock  60  may then be locked. The lock  60  may have a code or serial number attached or engraved on it which may be unique for this piece of freight, or pallet, or this particular freight enclosure  10 .  
         [0032]     Once the lock  60  has been sealed, a flap is used to cover the joined first set of zipper teeth ( 20 ,  22 , and those teeth opposite  20  and  22  on top portion  12 ) and the second set of zipper teeth ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 ). The “flap” is a part of the top portion  12  which may include the section on side  18  having a height H 0  from end  19  to the location where the teeth  20  are sewn (and may also include similarly located sections on side  14 , and on opposing sides opposite of side  14  and  18 ). The “flap” part of top portion  12  may include a VELCRO (trademarked) portion which may include VELCRO (trademarked) portions  30  and  32  on sides  18  and  14  as well as VELCRO (trademarked) portions on opposing sides not shown. The VELCRO (trademarked) portions such as  30  and  32 , may be located inside the box structure of the top portion  12  (i.e. bound by the sides  14  and  18  and their opposing sides and side  16 ). The purpose of this flap and additional VELCRO (trademarked) seal is to insure that no water may penetrate the joined first set of zipper teeth ( 20 ,  22 , and opposing teeth) and the second set of zipper teeth ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 ). The VELCRO (trademarked) sections  30  and  32  (and opposing portions) join with VELCRO (trademarked) sections  130 ,  132 , and opposing portions respectively on the bottom portion  100  as shown by  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0033]     Following locking of the lock  60 , and the sealing of the VELCRO (trademarked) flap, the freight enclosure  10  is ready for transport.  
         [0034]     The lock  60  can be a metal seal of a type that once it has been opened it can not be relocked. In this manner, a person receiving the freight enclosure can tell whether the lock  60  and therefore the freight enclosure  10  contents have been tampered with or the contents removed.  
         [0035]     The immediate previous sending agent, therefore, can be absolved of liability for any missing or damaged freight discovered at a later time. As each receiving agent is asked to sign for the freight, he need only to check that the lock  60  is intact, that the freight enclosure  10  does not have any rips, and that the serial number is correct. If so, then he can sign with assurances. If the lock is broken, the pallet has possibly been tampered with, and a signature is not made until an inspection is concluded, with any missing or damaged freight attributable to the previous agent. Additionally, if there are any rips in the material, the agent may assume potential damage or theft has occurred. As this is not plastic wrapping, which is easily ripped or sliced open, tears may not be concealed by mere tape, as is common with plastic wrapping. If a pilferer attempts to slice open the Glove and cover it up with tape, the next agent will see the tape as a warning that there has been tampering. This serves as an extremely effective deterrent to would-be thieves.  
         [0036]     In accordance with a method of an embodiment of the present invention, at each stage of transport of a freight enclosure  10 , an agent can check to see if the metal seal  60  or lock  60  has been tampered with. If it has not been tampered with, the agent can note this fact in a log sheet. Thus, it is possible to know during exactly what stage of transport tampering occurred. An agent receiving the enclosure  10  need only to check that the lock  60  is in tact and that the serial number is correct.  
         [0037]     The waterproof aspect of an embodiment of the present invention eliminates water damage to the freight inside the enclosure  10  when the freight enclosure  10  is exposed to rain, snow or other liquid accumulation. This assumes there are no lacerations to the freight enclosure  10 . The enclosure  10  may be comprised of Tyvek (for all sides of both the top portion  12  and the bottom portion  100 ), which is a strong fabric used in the manufacturing of backpacks, tents and tarps. The United States military currently used Tyvek for these and other purposes.  
         [0038]     Using a durable material such as Tyvek also makes the enclosure  10  reusable. The reusable aspect eliminates the cost, labor, and environment hazard associated with non-recyclable plastic packaging which previously was used for air freight. With regards to labor, the Glove takes less than one minute to ready for shipment. The below table shows examples of the high cost of use of recyclable plastic packaging for an estimated cost of $3 and 50,000 pallets per month and an estimated cost of $5 and 60,000 pallets per month.  
                                                         Annual Plastic Use and Cost on Pallets Traveling through Al Italia            Plastic                           per Pallet       Pallets/   2. Cost/   3. Cost/   Plastic/       (lbs.)   1. Cost*   Month   Month   Year   Year**               3   $3   50,000   $150,000   $1,800,000   1,800,000 lbs.       3   $5   60,000   $300,000   $3,600,000   2,160,000 lbs.                 *Includes labor cost, as well as those costs associated with the filing of claims and high insurance premiums.            **Nonrecyclable             
 
         [0039]     These costs are devastating from a business perspective because they are unrecoverable. The plastic is used once and once only. A reusable packaging serves as an investment, the cost of which may be spread over many uses. This will lead to a lower cost per use than that of disposable plastic.  
         [0040]     Investment in a protective, durable, reusable, environmentally friendly packaging is desirable in order to grow profit margins as well as to aid the preservation of our environment.