Seal assembly for a cargo container

A cargo seal assembly structured to maintain one or more doors on a cargo container in a closed and latched position comprising an elongated flexible material segment having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The flexible material segment is disposed and structured to extend in surrounding relation to the lock rods an concurrently into sealing engagement with the latch assembly. A lock body is attached to the flexible material segment at a location which prevents removal of the material segment from its operative position. As such unauthorized access to the interior of the cargo container can only be accomplished by destructive separation of the flexible material segment at two separate, spaced apart locations along its length. A single identifying indicia is disposed on the flexible material segment or an operative component associated therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to an improved cargo seal assembly structured for use on a cargo container in order to maintain one or more doors associated therewith in a securely locked and sealed orientation. Moreover, a door of the cargo container is prevented from being opened without destructively removing, in at least two separate locations, an elongated flexible material segment, thereby providing clear evidence of tampering as well as indicating when tampering has occurred.

2. Description of the Related Art

Large cargo containers, such as those that are detachable or are formed as part of trailers, are the most commonly used means of transporting large volumes of varying types of cargo from location to location around the world. A primary advantage to their use is that the large containers can store large quantities of goods and can be effectively transported on boats, trains, and/or trucks in order to expeditiously arrive at their eventual destination. The detachability and adaptability of the containers are of particular importance because they will often change hands from one carrier to another carrier, such as from a train to a truck or from a trucking company to a steamship line, during the various legs of a transport route.

Naturally, due to the great volume and often valuable nature of the cargos being transported in the large containers, security is an important consideration when dealing with cargo transportation. Unfortunately, however, one of the most prevalent security concerns, in addition to the third party hijackers or thieves who do not generally care if they leave signs of a break in, involves internal theft, which is not obviously detectable. For example, it is sometimes an all too common occurrence that during transit, an individual placed in custody of the container, such as a truck driver in charge of transporting the cargo from point to point, is behind a robbery. Such an individual is naturally very familiar with the nature of the cargo on board, and can easily arrange for a safe rendezvous for the removal of all or part of the cargo contained within the large container. Unlikely as it may seem, in these instances, it is often the security measures and/or locks which are normally employed that serve as the biggest allies to the thieves.

A conventional, single-use, single end seal is the common article used to secure the door handle/latch in a door closing orientation. Moreover, this is the primary seal, and more likely the only seal that is looked at by shipping personnel assigned to verify the integrity of a shipment during transit. Unfortunately, thieves have still found ways to unlatch the doors without actually breaking the seal. Specifically, the joint between the actuation handle and the lock rod on most conventional containers generally incorporates a single bolt or rivet securing both elements to one another. As a result, a thief can merely cut or drill-out and remove that bolt or rivet to permit the independent turning of the lock rod while the actuation handle remains in place. The container is thereby opened without having to move the actuation handle or break the seal. Once the cargo has been removed and the door is re-closed, a replacement bolt is merely inserted to connect the actuation handle with the lock rod, and can be painted over if necessary to preserve the original appearance. As a result, the conventional type identifying seal has never been removed and no evidence of tampering is available as the cargo changes hands from one carrier to another. Accordingly, when the specific carrier involved in the theft arrives at a next leg of the transport, the container looks normal and intact, and the responsibility is passed on to the next transport carrier. Naturally, when the theft is ultimately discovered, blame passes from carrier to carrier with no concrete resolution as to the true thieves or the actual stage of transport during which the theft occurred. Moreover, as no positive blame can be put on any particular carrier, it is often the owner of the cargo who must take the loss and must fight their insurance company for some recovery.

Despite the numerous techniques thieves have found to defeat existing systems, and because of the high volume of cargo being transported on a daily basis, and the cost of more extensive security measures, most carriers still utilize the above-described securing methods to seal the cargo doors. Such carriers accept a certain percentage of losses to theft as an expense of doing business given the lack of a viable alternative. Accordingly, it would be highly beneficial to provide a cargo container seal and door lock which can defeat or at least significantly hinder the “inside job” theft in a cost effective and easy to implement fashion. Such an improved seal should be structured to resist opening of the doors without its removal, and should be difficult to replace without providing substantially clear and noticeable evidence of tampering, thereby allowing the identification of a theft by a transport company when they take on the cargo.

For these reasons, some carriers have turned to utilizing single use locking brackets which employ common single use, single end seals which bear a particular, recorded serial number thereon, if added security is desired. Accordingly, when the cargo container changes hands from one carrier to another both the bracket seal and the primary seal are supposed to be inspected and the numerals on the both seals are recorded to ensure that they match the shipping records. Still, however, while such techniques are more effective than the security measures which had previously been available, clever thieves have quickly found ways around those procedures as well.

Specifically, because a thief that performs such an “inside job” is typically associated with the normal shipping procedures, they are typically aware that in most circumstances, transfer of custody between carriers is only accompanied by an inspection of the primary cargo seal at the door latch, and a comparison of its identification number with the one depicted on the shipping manifest. Accordingly, a thief is typically able to merely cut off the bracket, removing it completely from the container and discarding the bracket seal. In particular, because a subsequent shipping agent is not aware of the condition in which a prior shipping agent received a cargo container, despite the fact that the bracket's serial number may have been clearly indicated on the manifest, the lack of the bracket is not usually recognized. This is especially the case if the primary cargo seal identification number is correct as a vast majority of shipments still arrive without any secondary sealing.

As such, it would be beneficial to provide an improved cargo seal that is structured to require the actual removal or tampering with the primary cargo seal in order to access the container. Such a seal, which prior to the present invention has not been provided, should be structured to be permanently and noticeably damaged or tampered with if the container is accessed, and should be difficult to duplicate easily and effectively. Accordingly, even a cursory review by a shipping agent of the primary seal serial number will necessarily reveal that tampering has occurred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved cargo seal assembly structured to be used in combination with a cargo container of the type well known in the transportation industry. More specifically, a conventional cargo container usually includes two doors each of which has a locking rod connected to an exterior portion thereof. The locking rods are disposed in spaced but parallel relation to one another and are vertically oriented to extend along at least a majority of the length of their respective doors. The locking rods may be selectively positioned into a locked or an unlocked position thereby preventing or facilitating the opening of the respective doors and determining access to the interior of the cargo container and the cargo therein. Further, each of the locking rods includes a latch handle extending outwardly therefrom and selectively positionable into cooperative relation with a latch assembly. Sealing of the latch assembly maintains the latch handle in a fixed position while the respective locking rods associated therewith are maintained in their locked position. Access to the interior of the cargo container by opening the one or more doors is thereby prevented.

The cargo seal assembly of the present invention is structured to be connected to both of the locking rods and at least one latch assembly associated with one of the locking rods. As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, access to the interior of the cargo container would necessitate destruction and removal of the cargo seal assembly in at least two different locations. This would provide clear evidence of tampering upon inspection of the subject cargo seal assembly as well as facilitating the determination of when such tampering or attempted unauthorized entry had occurred.

More specifically, the cargo seal assembly of the present invention comprises an elongated, flexible material segment of sufficient length to be disposed in surrounding relation to both of the locking rods as well as being connected to the latch assembly in a manner which restricts opening thereof. The flexible segment may preferably be formed of a high strength metal or other material which resists cutting, severing or other types of destructive separation along its length. By way of example, the material could be of sufficient strength to require the use of large bolt or cable cutters or an acetylene torch to cause a separation of the flexible material segment at a plurality of locations along its length. However, alternative embodiments of the present invention may include the flexible material segment being formed of a material of lesser strength, such as plastic. Obviously it would be easier to separate a lesser strength material segment along its length. Therefore economic factors may justify a plastic or like material being utilized, such as when shipping an empty container, wherein unauthorized access to the interior thereof does not result in loss or damage of cargo. In addition, the importance of securely locking and sealing an empty container is emphasized in order to reduce or eliminate the possibility of smuggled cargo being transported therein. By way of example, if an empty container is left closed and unsealed, or if a conventional sealing device is used therewith, access to the interior of the container is readily obtainable. Accordingly, the unauthorized shipping of various types of cargo, including aliens or weapons of mass destruction, by unscrupulous individuals could easily occur.

Regardless of the material being used, the elongated flexible material segment includes a proximal end and a distal end as well as an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The distal and proximal ends, as well as the intermediate portion, absent any enlarged seal structure and/or lock body being secured thereto, have sufficiently small transverse dimensions to fit within and pass through a seal aperture associated with a conventional latch assembly, as described above. However, when the flexible material member is in its intended sealing and locking position, the proximal end of the flexible material segment includes a seal element secured thereto. The seal element has an overall enlarged configuration which is sufficiently greater than the seal aperture of the latch assembly. Accordingly, the seal element due to its enlarged dimension and overall structure is prevented from passing through the seal aperture of the latch assembly. Therefore, the connection of a lock body and the primary, enlarged seal element to the flexible material segment, in their operative positions, prevents the removal of the flexible material segment from its sealing engagement with the latch structure without destructively separating it at a location substantially adjacent the latch structure.

As described in greater detail hereinafter, the flexible material segment may be operatively positioned on the cargo container with the primary, enlarged seal element being first attached or unattached. In positioning the flexible material segment in its operative, locked position relative to the one or more doors of the cargo carrier when the seal element is already attached, the distal end is passed through the seal aperture of the latch assembly, as set forth above. A pulling force is exerted on the distal end and/or the intermediate portion of the flexible material segment subsequent to passing through the seal aperture. The intermediate portion is then positioned in surrounding relation to both of the lock rods until the intermediate portion is in a “wrapped orientation”, at which time a lock body is secured to the intermediate portion so as to maintain it in the wrapped orientation. The wrapped orientation may be more specifically defined by a tightly surrounding, wrapped engagement of the intermediate portion of the flexible material segment concurrently about both of the lock rods. The enlarged seal element will thereby be pulled into a confronting location which may abut the latch assembly in contiguous or adjacent relation to the seal aperture formed therein.

Alternatively, the flexible material segment may be attached in its locking and sealing position on the cargo container by first disposing the intermediate portion in the wrapped orientation about the lock rods. Once so positioned, a lock body will be secured to the intermediate portion so as to maintain it in the wrapped orientation. Thereafter, one of the free ends, such as the proximal end, is passed through the seal aperture in the latch assembly of the cargo container and the primary seal element is secured thereto.

As set forth above, when the intermediate portion of the flexible material segment is disposed in its tightly surrounding, wrapped orientation, a lock body is secured to adjacently oriented portions of the flexible material segments in a location exterior of the lock rods. Moreover in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the lock body may include structural features which permits passage of one end of the flexible material segment there through in only a single direction. Removal of the flexible material segment from the lock body by the passage thereof in the opposite direction is prevented. The attachment of the lock body to the adjacent portions of the intermediate portion of the flexible material segment thereby serves to maintain the intermediate portion in the aforementioned wrapped orientation. In such a position, the lock body is disposed in spaced relation to the latch assembly as well as the seal element positioned adjacent thereto. The proximal end of the flexible material segment extends outwardly in spaced relation to the lock body and, dependent upon the overall length of the flexible material segment, may be disposed in any of a variety of out of the way locations.

Therefore, any attempt to defeat the improved cargo seal of the present invention must involve the destructive separation of the flexible material segment at two spaced apart locations. One separation must occur at a location between the two lock rods thereby disengaging the intermediate portion from its wrapped orientation. However, one section of the flexible material segment extending between the lock body and the seal element still remains intact and will prevent opening of the latch assembly. Access to the interior of the cargo container will thereby still be denied. Therefore another destructive separation of the flexible material segment along the length between the lock body and seal element must also be made.

Further structural features of the improved cargo seal assembly of the present invention includes the provision of an identifying indicia placed preferably on the seal element. In practice, the identifying code is recorded and serves to identify the cargo container with which the improved cargo seal assembly of the present invention is utilized. As a practical matter, when using a conventional seal assembly only the primary seal element associated with the right hand door of the cargo container is periodically checked. As a result, only the identifying indicia or code associated with this primary seal element is reviewed in an effort to assure the tampering with the latch assembly and/or access to the interior of the cargo container has not been attempted or achieved.

Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the improved cargo seal assembly of the present invention comprises only a single identifying indicia or code, thereby reducing the administrative procedures associated with recording and examining the authenticity of the cargo seal assembly. As set forth above, any attempt to defeat the subject cargo seal assembly would require a removal of the seal element and the performance of two destructive separations of the flexible material segment. The absence of the identifying indicia and/or the seal element itself will provide clear proof that tampering has occurred. Without the seal element and the identifying indicia the container will be prevented from being transferred between carriers and a determination as to when unauthorized access or tampering has occurred is thereby facilitated.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more clear when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is directed to a cargo seal assembly, generally indicated as10, of the type intended to seal and lock a cargo container generally indicated as12. As conventionally structured, the cargo container12includes one or more doors14and16pivotally mounted by a plurality of hinge structures18in covering relation to an access opening normally found at one end of the elongated cargo container12.

The locking assembly generally associated with conventional cargo containers12includes two spaced apart, vertical lock rods20and22which are secured to the respective doors14and16and selectively positioned between a locked orientation, as represented inFIG. 1and an unlocked orientation, not shown for purposes of clarity. Each of the lock rods20and22comprises a latch assembly generally indicated as24. Each of the latch assemblies24is cooperatively disposed and structured orientation as also shown inFIG. 1. Further, each of the latch assemblies24includes a seal aperture28formed in at least one part thereof and disposed and structured to receive some type of seal device or fixture therein. When the aforementioned seal device passes through the seal aperture28the latch assembly24is prevented from opening without removal or destruction of such a seal device. Accordingly, the respective lock rods20and22are secured in their closed and locked position until such a seal device is removed from the seal aperture28.

While numerous types of seal and/or locking assemblies structured to be used with a latch assembly24and respective lock rods20and22are known, the cargo seal assembly10of the present invention is structured to provide a simplified mechanism which assures the security of the cargo maintained within a cargo carrier12unless destructively removed from its operative position ofFIG. 1. In addition, the cargo seal assembly of the present invention is further structured to provide clear evidence of tampering upon inspection thereof, while also substantially identifying when tampering has occurred.

More specifically, the cargo seal assembly10of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible material segment generally indicated as30. The segment30includes a proximal end32and a spaced apart distal end34connected by an intermediate portion36. In at least one preferred embodiment, the flexible material segment30is formed from a high strength metallic or other material which is resistant to cutting, severing or other means of separating it along its length. As explained hereinafter, destructive separation of the flexible material segment30, in at least two separate locations, is necessary to defeat the cargo seal assembly10when in its operative position inFIG. 1. When utilizing such metallic or other high strength material, common means to separate the flexible material segment30include bolt or cable cutters, an acetylene torch, etc. Moreover, such a high strength material is utilized to form the flexible material segment when maximum security is required to protect the cargo within the interior of the cargo container12. It is of course important that any attempted tampering or theft be thwarted by making it as difficult as possible to provide unauthorized access to the interior of the cargo container12, when maximum security is required.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the flexible material segment30being formed of a plastic or other material of lesser strength. Such lesser strength material will of course be easier to destruct by cutting, severing, etc. However, such an embodiment would be considerably less expensive while still providing an acceptable degree of security under certain practical situations. As such, a plastic or other lesser strength material can be used to form the flexible material segment30such as when the cargo container12is being shipped empty or absent any meaningful or valued cargo contained on the interior thereof.

Yet another feature of at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is the provision of a seal element40connected to the proximal end42in the manner clearly demonstrated inFIG. 2. The seal element40may be fixedly and/or permanently secured to the proximal end32of the flexible material segment30and made available to users as pictured inFIG. 2. Alternatively the flexible material segment30and the seal element40may be made available to users individually, by being initially separated from one another. In this latter embodiment the proximal end32may be specifically structured to be received within an opening or receiving area as at42of the seal element40in a manner which prevents or restricts the removal therefrom once the seal element40is connected to the flexible material segment in the manner shown inFIG. 2. Cooperative structuring of one or both of the ends32and34may comprise a “bullet tipped” member as at35being swaged onto the one or more ends32and34.

Other features associated with the seal element40include the provision of informational indicia44in the form of a coded alpha/numeric array. This informational indicia is used to identify a particular cargo carrier12. When the flexible material segment30is disposed in its operative position ofFIG. 1the recording of the informative indicia or code44will be part of the normal administrative processing serving to indicate that a specific flexible material segment30and seal element40has been used to seal and lock a given cargo container12. During transit, the informative indicia/code44will be periodically checked to assure that the flexible material element30and/or seal element40has not been replaced, such as by an unauthorized personnel who have acquired access to the interior of the cargo container12. Naturally, the presence of a flexible material segment30and/or a seal element40absent the previously recorded informative indicia/code44will provide clear evidence of tampering or unauthorized access and a general time period when such tampering has occurred.

Another feature of the cargo seal assembly10of the present invention is the structure and dimension of the seal element40relative to the distal end34and at least the majority of the length of the intermediate portion36or the entire length thereof. As disclosed, the seal element40is enlarged, at least to the extent of having a greater width, diameter or overall transverse dimension than the diameter, transverse dimension, etc. of the ends32and34and intermediate portion36. Moreover, the dimension and structuring of the ends32and34and the intermediate portion36is such as to allow the free passage thereof through the seal aperture28associated with the latch assembly24. Accordingly, the disposition of the flexible material member30in the sealing and locking position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, involves a length of the intermediate portion being positioned in surrounding relation to the lock rods20and22and into what may be referred to as a “wrapped orientation”. Once disposed in the wrapped orientation, a lock body generally indicated as48is secured to adjacently oriented portions37and39of the flexible material segment30. Thereafter one free end of the flexible material member30, such as the proximal end32, is passed through the seal aperture28and secured to the enlarged primary seal element40.

As set forth above, the seal element40may be secured to one end32of the flexible material segment30prior to the flexible material member30being secured on its locked and sealed position ofFIG. 1. In such an embodiment, the distal end34is initially threaded through the seal aperture28. The intermediate portion is also passed therethrough until the enlarged seal element40, previously affixed to the proximal end32is disposed in abutting and/or at least substantially adjacent relation to the latch assembly24as represented inFIG. 3.

The lock body48may take a variety of different structural configurations each of which provide a secure and permanent anchoring or attachment of the adjacently oriented portions37and39of the intermediate portion36of the flexible material segment30as best shown inFIG. 3. When the lock body48is disposed in its secured, operative position, the intermediate portion36is maintained in the aforementioned wrapped orientation. Moreover, the wrapped orientation of the intermediate portion36may be more precisely defined as a tightly engaging and surrounding relation of intermediate portion36about both of the lock rods20and22thereby restricting separation of the lock rods20and22such as when the doors14and16are attempted to be opened. Accordingly, the “tight wrapped” positioning of the intermediate segment36, when in its wrapped orientation ofFIG. 1, may provide at least some minimal separation of the lock rods20and22. However, the wrapped orientation of the intermediate portion36should be sufficiently “tight” to prevent the opening or separation of doors14and16an amount sufficient to allow access to the interior of the cargo container12. Once the lock body48is disposed in its secured position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the remainder of the length of the flexible material segment extending between the distal end34and the lock body48may be disposed in any convenient location as it extends outwardly from the lock body48.

In addition to best maintain the intermediate portion36in the wrapped orientation, the lock body48is disposed exteriorly of the lock rods20and22and preferably immediately adjacent and exterior surface of one of such lock rods as at20. Also, while the distance between the lock body48and the seal aperture28will be substantially the same, once the lock body48in its operative position, the length of the flexible material segment30extending between the lock body48and the seal element40, may vary in dimension depending upon the particular structure and overall configuration of the latch assembly24and lock rods20and22. As such, the length of the section36′ of the intermediate portion36may be such as to allow disposal or positioning of the seal element40out of immediate abutting relation to the latch assembly24but in a position which maintains some portion of the section36′ of the flexible material segment30within the seal aperture28.

Removal of the flexible material segment30from its operative, sealing and locking position ofFIGS. 1 and 3will thereby require at least two destructive separations of the flexible material segment30along its length. One such separation must occur at some point along the intermediate portion36, between the lock rods20and22(or immediately adjacent thereto). Another severing, cutting or like separation of the intermediate segment36must occur at some point along the section36′ between the lock body48and seal element40in order to remove the section36′ from the seal aperture28. As emphasized above the seal element40has enlarged transverse dimension which prevents its passage through the seal aperture28. Similarly, the lock body48also includes a sufficiently large dimension to prevent its passage through the seal aperture28. Therefore, the removal of section36′ from the seal aperture28can only be accomplished by a destructive separation of the section36′ between the lock body48and the seal element40.

Another embodiment of the improved cargo seal assembly is generally indicated as10′ and is disclosed in detail inFIGS. 4 through 6. More specifically, this embodiment comprises an elongated flexible material segment50including a proximal end52, a distal end54and an intermediate portion56extending therebetween. A lock body58functionally similar but structurally distinguishable from the lock body48of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 through 3is fixedly secured to intermediate portion56in spaced relation to both the proximal end52and the distal end54. As will be described in greater detailed with reference toFIGS. 5A and 5B, the intermediate portion56may be permanently secured to the lock body58as by passing through and being swaged within one of a plurality of passages or channels, as at70inFIG. 5A, formed within and extending through the lock body58as also clearly shown inFIG. 6. However, at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates other means of fixedly or permanently securing the intermediate portion56of the flexible material segment50to the lock body58, such as by being integrally formed thereon or by being fixedly or integrally secured to the exterior of the lock body58as represented inFIG. 5B.

As should be apparent from a review ofFIG. 6, the improved cargo seal assembly10′ functions generally similarly to the embodiment of the cargo seal assembly10as disclosed inFIGS. 1 through 3. As such, the flexible material segment50is disposed in surrounding relation to both the vertical lock rods20and22and into the aforementioned wrapped orientation. In addition, a portion of the flexible material segment50is connected in sealing engagement to the latch structure24so as to prevent opening thereof and manipulation of the latch handle26to the extent of disposing the lock rod20in an open or unlocked orientation, as described above. Clearly, one distinguishing feature of this preferred embodiment of the cargo seal assembly10′ is the absence of a seal element40, which is an operative components of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 4is representative of the cargo seal assembly10′ as it is made available to the user. As such, the lock body58may be assembled in its intended position on the intermediate portion56between the opposite ends52and54thereof.FIG. 5is a schematic representation of the flexible material segment50in what may be considered an operative position, such as when it is disposed to both lock and seal a cargo container12in a manner which locks the lock rod20and22and seals the latch assembly24. More specifically, in such an operative position a first section60of the intermediate portion50is formed into a substantially closed loop which surrounds the lock rods20and22and thereby defines the aforementioned wrapped orientation. In order to maintain the closed loop configuration ofFIGS. 5 and 6, the distal end54passes back through the lock body58.

Similarly, when in its preferred, operative orientation, the flexible material segment50comprises a second section generally indicated as62, which is also formed into a substantially closed loop configuration by passing the proximal end52back through the lock body58. When so disposed, the second section62is formed by passing the proximal end52through the seal aperture28of the latch structure24and then back through the lock body58. Accordingly, the second section62of the flexible material segment50is disposed in sealing connection and/or engagement with the latch structure24by maintaining its position within the seal aperture28. Therefore, the cargo seal assembly10′ maintains a seal connection of the latch structure28absent the provision of the seal element40as described with reference to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 through 3.

Structural features of the lock body58comprise the plurality of passages or channels as set forth above. As best shown inFIG. 6, such plurality of passages include at least a first passage66extending completely through the lock body58and being opened at opposite ends thereof. The first passage66is designed to facilitate passage of the distal end54therethrough once the first section60is disposed in a locked position, defined by a wrapped orientation about the lock rods20and22. Similarly, the plurality of passages of the lock body58include a second passage68extending completely through the lock body58and being open at opposite ends. The second passage68facilitates the passing of the proximal end52therethrough once in the sealing position of the second section62has been achieved by passing a portion of the length of the second section through the seal aperture28.

Finally, the plurality of passages of the lock body58include a third passage70through which the flexible material segment50passes in order to permanently or fixedly secure the lock body58to the intermediate portion56between opposite ends52and54as disclosed and described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5. It should be apparent that once the first and second section60and62are in their respective locking position and sealing position, the improved cargo seal assembly10′ can not be removed from the cargo container12without destructive separation of the flexible material segment50at two separate, spaced apart locations. As set forth above with regard to the embodiment ofFIG. 3one such destructive separation occurs between or immediately adjacent to the lock rods20and22. Another separation must also occur between the lock body58and the latch structure24.

Therefore maintaining the lock body58in a permanently fixed position relative to the intermediate portion56and the first and second section60and62respectively is necessary to maintain security of the cargo container12. As such, the lock body58includes a locking assembly. The locking assembly may include any of a variety of locking mechanisms which allow the passage of the respective proximal and distal end52and54through the passages68and66in one direction and thereafter prevents their removal from the lock body once the lock body is disposed in its operative location as depicted inFIG. 6. Locking mechanisms associated with each of the passages66,68and perhaps passage70could take a variety of configurations.

Yet additional features associated with the lock body58is the provision of informative indicia44′ provided for purposes of recording and administrative processing of the identity of the cargo container12, as described above with reference to the informative indicia or code44disposed on the seal element as disclosed in the embodiment ofFIG. 2.

Now that the invention has been described,