Abstract:
A safe inspection system for the manual inspection of personal luggage, which comprises an inspection module including at least one inspection member which defines an inspection surface, for supporting a potentially explosive object for manual inspection by an inspector; a blast containment container arranged in a position of immediate communication with the inspection module; and transfer means for effecting the immediate transfer of a suspicious inspected object from the inspection surface to the blast containment container by an inspector without requiring further handling of the object by the inspector, thereby to immediately confine the object within the blast containment container and so as to thus reduce the reduce blast damage in the event that the suspicious object explodes after confinement therewithin. The present invention also includes a kit for converting a blast containment container to a safe inspection system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to personal security, and particularly to systems for the manual inspection of personal luggage, such as may be found at any location which may serve as a target for the illegal introduction of explosive devices thereinto or therethrough. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The danger posed by terrorists seeking to transport explosives into or through crowded public places, such as passenger terminals, is well known. There has been a public awareness of this particularly since the terrorist attacks of Sep. 11, 2001. 
         [0003]    While many systems have been introduced to effectively screen large pieces of luggage, such as suitcases, prior to loading onto aircraft or other forms of transportation, the inspection of personal affects, such as back packs and handbags, is particularly problematic. This is especially so where an initial manual inspection is performed on a desk or table placed at an entry point into closed public places, such as airport terminals, train stations, theaters, government offices, and many other public and private premises. As is well know, if a terrorist seeks to detonate an explosive device in a crowded place, his intention may be to smuggle the device deep into the premises so as to detonate the device so as to cause maximum casualties. In the event that the device is discovered during a manual inspection of his personal effects by a security guard, there are no satisfactory solutions that can effectively reduce the number of casualties and the damage to the immediate environment, should the bomb detonate after discovery. 
         [0004]    The prior art includes many different types of apparatus for attenuating the effect of an explosion in a confined space including the following US patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,165 entitled “Explosion Containment Vessel;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,931 entitled “Blast Attenuating Containers;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,237 entitled “Modified Container Using Inner Bag;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,053 entitled “High-Energy-Absorbing Enclosure For Internal Explosion Containment;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,184 entitled “Aircraft Cargo Container;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,453 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Containing and Suppressing Explosive Detonations;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,178 entitled “Container Systems For High Explosive Test Agents;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,665 entitled “Hardened Luggage Container;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,223 entitled “Explosive Attenuating Structure;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,258 entitled “Blast-Resistant Container;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,872 entitled “Blast Attenuator;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,382 entitled “Bomb Disposal Device;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,285 entitled “Bomb Blast Attenuator;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,247 entitled “Explosion Containment Device;” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,601 entitled “Container for Explosive Device.” 
         [0005]    There are also various products known in the marketplace, including the semi-confined and fully confined bomb containment containers manufactured and sold by the Mistral Security Inc., of Bethesda, Md., USA. The semi-confined containers have the appearance of normal waste receptacles that might be found at any type of public facility, such as at airports and railway stations. These containers are constructed however so as to partial confine a blast therewithin, so as to direct it upwards, rather than in a 360° direction. This serves to prevent the vast majority of injuries and destruction of property that might otherwise occur. Fully confined bomb containment containers are constructed to fully confine an explosion occurring therewithin. 
         [0006]    Even with such systems however, the person performing the manual inspection may have only seconds to act, such that manually placing a suspicious object in a semi-confined bomb containment container as described, may not be an option. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention seeks to provide a safe inspection system, constructed so as to permit manual inspection of personal luggage, such as backpacks, handbags, purses and the like, at the entry to places considered to warrant such inspections, while at the same time providing immediate safety from detonation of an explosive device that may be discovered in personal luggage, thereby overcoming disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0008]    A further aim of the present invention is to provide a kit for converting existing blast containment containers into safe inspection systems for the manual inspection of personal luggage, substantially as described herein. 
         [0009]    There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a safe inspection system for the manual inspection of personal luggage, which includes: 
         [0010]    an inspection module including one or more inspection members which define an inspection surface, for supporting a potentially explosive object for manual inspection by an inspector; 
         [0011]    a blast containment container arranged in a position of immediate communication with the inspection module; and 
         [0012]    transfer apparatus for effecting the immediate transfer of a suspicious inspected object from the inspection surface to the blast containment container by an inspector without requiring further handling of the object by the inspector, thereby to immediately confine the object within the blast containment container and so as to thus reduce the blast damage in the event that the suspicious object explodes after confinement therewithin. 
         [0013]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the blast containment container has an inlet for admitting the suspicious object, and wherein the transfer apparatus is operative to selectably move the one or more inspection members relative to the blast containment container from a closed position wherein the at least one inspection member covers the inlet to an open position wherein the at least one inspection member does not cover the inlet. 
         [0014]    Further in accordance with the present embodiment, the one or more movable inspection members and surface are disposed generally above the inlet, and the transfer apparatus also includes resistive apparatus above the inspection surface and the inlet, the resistive apparatus applying a resistive force to the suspicious object so as to maintain it generally over the inlet until the inlet is exposed by the movement of the inspection member, such that the inspection surface no longer supports the suspicious object thereon, thereby to cause the admission of the suspicious object through the inlet of the blast containment container under gravitational acceleration. 
         [0015]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the one or more movable inspection members has a generally horizontal orientation, and the transfer apparatus includes apparatus for moving the one or more movable inspection members in a generally lateral direction, thereby to uncover the inlet of the blast containment container, and the resistive apparatus includes a barrier element arranged over a portion of the inspection surface, operative to cause a relative movement between the object located on the inspection surface and the inspection surface, thereby to maintain the object generally over the inlet until exposure thereof. 
         [0016]    Further in accordance with the present embodiment, the barrier element is arranged in a stationary position with respect to the inlet of the blast containment container. 
         [0017]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the system also includes apparatus for movably mounting the inspection module relative to the blast containment container, which includes one of the following group: 
         [0018]    pivot apparatus; 
         [0019]    sliding apparatus; and 
         [0020]    track apparatus. 
         [0021]    Further in accordance with the present embodiment, the system also includes retrieval apparatus associated with the blast containment container for facilitating further processing of the suspicious object at a safe location, wherein the retrieval apparatus includes a liner located within the containment container for cushioning the fall of the suspicious object into the container; and apparatus for elevating the liner so as to raise the suspicious object therewithin for further processing. 
         [0022]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the retrieval apparatus may also or alternatively include apparatus for moving the system from a first location to a second location, for further processing of the suspicious object within the container. 
         [0023]    Further in accordance with the present embodiment, the blast containment container is a semi-confined blast containment container or a fully confined blast containment container. 
         [0024]    There is also provided, in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a kit for converting a blast containment container to a safe inspection system for the manual inspection of personal luggage, which includes: 
         [0025]    an inspection module including one or more inspection members which define an inspection surface, for supporting a potentially explosive object for manual inspection by an inspector, and arranged in a position of immediate communication with the a blast containment container; and 
         [0026]    transfer apparatus for effecting the immediate transfer of a suspicious inspected object from the inspection surface to the blast containment container by an inspector without requiring further handling of the object by the inspector, thereby to immediately confine the object within the blast containment container and so as to thus reduce the blast damage in the event that the suspicious object explodes after confinement therewithin. 
         [0027]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the blast containment container has an inlet for admitting the suspicious object, and wherein the transfer apparatus is operative to selectably move the one or more inspection members relative to the blast containment container from a closed position wherein the at least one inspection member covers the inlet to an open position wherein the at least one inspection member does not cover the inlet. 
         [0028]    Further in accordance with the present embodiment, the one or more movable inspection members and surface are disposed generally above the inlet, and the transfer apparatus also includes resistive apparatus above the inspection surface and the inlet, the resistive apparatus applying a resistive force to the suspicious object so as to maintain it generally over the inlet until the inlet is exposed by the movement of the inspection member, such that the inspection surface no longer supports the suspicious object thereon, thereby to cause the admission of the suspicious object through the inlet of the blast containment container under gravitational acceleration. 
         [0029]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the one or more movable inspection members has a generally horizontal orientation, and the transfer apparatus includes apparatus for moving the one or more movable inspection members in a generally lateral direction, thereby to uncover the inlet of the blast containment container, and the resistive apparatus includes a barrier element arranged over a portion of the inspection surface, operative to cause a relative movement between the object located on the inspection surface and the inspection surface, thereby to maintain the object generally over the inlet until exposure thereof. 
         [0030]    Further in accordance with the present embodiment, the barrier element is arranged in a stationary position with respect to the inlet of the blast containment container. 
         [0031]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the system also includes apparatus for movably mounting the inspection module relative to the blast containment container, which includes one of the following group: 
         [0032]    pivot apparatus; 
         [0033]    sliding apparatus; and 
         [0034]    track apparatus. 
         [0035]    Further in accordance with the present embodiment, the system also includes retrieval apparatus associated with the blast containment container for facilitating further processing of the suspicious object at a safe location, wherein the retrieval apparatus includes a liner located within the containment container for cushioning the fall of the suspicious object into the container; and apparatus for elevating the liner so as to raise the suspicious object therewithin for further processing. 
         [0036]    Additionally in accordance with the present embodiment, the retrieval apparatus may also or alternatively include apparatus for moving the system from a first location to a second location, for further processing of the suspicious object within the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram representation of a safe system for the manual inspection of personal luggage, constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic representations of the system of  FIG. 1 , seen at different stages of operation, exemplifying use of a semi-confined blast containment container; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are pictorial views of a first embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which the inspection module is formed of a pair of mutually and oppositely slidable planar inspection elements, mounted above a semi-confined blast containment container, wherein the inspection module is illustrated in respective closed and open positions; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3C  is a more detailed plan view of the safe inspection system in a closed position, as depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are vertical cross-sectional views of the safe inspection system of  FIGS. 3A-3C , as viewed along lines A-A and B-B, respectively, in  FIG. 3C ; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are pictorial views of a second embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which the inspection module is an upward-facing portion of a housing containing a semi-confined blast containment container, wherein the system is illustrated in respective closed and open positions; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5C  is a more detailed plan view of the safe inspection system of  FIGS. 5A-5B  in a closed position, as depicted in  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are vertical cross-sectional views of the safe inspection system of  FIGS. 5A-5C , as viewed along lines A-A and B-B, respectively, in  FIG. 5C ; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are pictorial views of a third embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which the inspection module is a pivotable planar member mounted over a fully confined blast containment container, wherein the system is illustrated in respective closed and open positions; 
           [0047]      FIG. 7C  is a more detailed plan view of the safe inspection system in a closed position, as depicted in  FIG. 7A ; and 
           [0048]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are vertical cross-sectional views of the safe inspection system of  FIGS. 7A-7C , as viewed along lines A-A and B-B, respectively, in  FIG. 7C . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a safe inspection system for the manual inspection of personal luggage, such as backpacks, handbags, purses and packages, constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention. The present invention does not change the nature of the inspection of personal luggage, per se, but facilitates the immediate disposal of suspicious objects, and considerably reduces the chances of injury to persons located nearby, and damage to property, from the detonation of an explosive device disposed of in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0050]    It may thus be seen that the system  10  of the present invention includes, when taken at a most basic level, an inspection module, referenced generally  20 , a blast containment container, referenced generally  30 , transfer means, referenced generally  40 , for transferring a suspicious object from the inspection module  20  to the blast containment container  30 , and retrieval means  48 , for further processing of the suspicious object at a safe location. Retrieval means  48  preferably includes both means for recovering an object from the blast containment container  30 , and means for remotely moving the remainder of system  10  from one location to another. While the retrieval means  48  is described hereinbelow as being typically a manual means, having various cables attached to the system, it may also include semi-automatic or automatic means, or remote controlled means for performing the same functions as described hereinbelow. 
         [0051]    Referring now also to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , there is seen a suspicious package  50 , which has been placed for inspection on an inspection surface  22 , defined by inspection member  24  of inspection module  20 . The useful portion of inspection surface  22  is defined by a resistive, barrier member  42  which, as will be appreciated from the description below, forms part of the transfer means  40 . The barrier member  42  is mounted in fixed registration over the blast containment container  30 , such that relative movement between these two portions of the system cannot occur. The inspection member  24 , however, is mounted relative to the blast containment container  30  so as to facilitate movement of inspection member  24 , as indicated by an arrow  52  in  FIG. 2A , relative to blast containment container  30  and barrier member  42 . 
         [0052]    As inspection member  24  is moved sideways, as indicated by arrow  52 , a similar movement of the suspicious object  50  which is situated thereon and which is sought to be isolated in blast containment container  30 , may be caused initially. As seen, the object  50  is initially above an inlet  32  of the blast containment container  30 , but is supported thereover by inspection member  24 . As the inspection member  24  is moved to the side, to the position illustrated in  FIG. 2B  inlet  32  is uncovered, thus causing object  50 , which is prevented from further lateral movement by barrier member  42 , to fall under gravity into inlet  32  and into the blast containment container  30 . Movement of the inspection member  24  can be provided by any suitable sliding, swinging or pivoting mechanisms, largely as exemplified by the systems shown and described hereinbelow in conjunction with any of the embodiments of  FIGS. 3A-8B . 
         [0053]    In the illustrated example, in which container  30  is a semi-confined blast containment container, there is also provided retrieval means  48 , as described generally above, in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . The retrieval means  48  includes a liner  36 , to which is attached a handle  38 , typically formed as a cable or wire, and also includes a retrieval member  39 , exemplified herewith also as a cable or wire. 
         [0054]    The liner  36  is typically formed of any suitable, soft material, and is operative to limit damage to a suspicious object. This is necessary in order to cushion and thus prevent unnecessary, premature detonation of an explosive device as it falls into container  30 , and also serves to protect damage to fragile objects if isolated in container  30 . On the assumption that object  50  does not detonate, it will of course be necessary to remove it from container  50  for further inspection by authorized personnel, and in a safe environment, as decided by such personnel in consideration of the circumstances. 
         [0055]    Accordingly, handle  38  is provided so as to pull liner  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , thereby raising it from the position indicated in broken lines to the full-line position, thereby causing object  50  to be elevated for further treatment. Clearly, handle  38 , which as described, is a cable or the like, is typically of sufficient length, so that this operation can be performed remotely from the remainder of system  10 . It will also be appreciated that handle  38  can alternatively be any means, such as a remotely operated pulley, or any other suitable means for fulfilling the described function. 
         [0056]    Additionally, as described, retrieval means  48  also includes a retrieval member  39 , for moving the system  10  to a safe location. Retrieval member  39  too, can be any means, such as a remotely operated pulley, or any other suitable means for fulfilling the described function. 
         [0057]    In accordance with the present invention, any suitable blast containment container may be employed. By way of example only, container  30  could be a semi-confined or fully confined bomb containment waste container manufactured and sold by the Mistral Security Inc., of Bethesda, Md., USA. Alternatively, it could be provided by a Blastsafe™ containment system for explosives, which is a total confinement container, also manufactured by Mistral Security Inc. It will further be appreciated that either of these types of container, or any other suitable type, may be employed as part of the safe inspection system shown and described herein. 
         [0058]    Various embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to  FIGS. 3A-8B . For the purpose of conciseness, components that have already been described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-2B  are not specifically described again hereinbelow, and such components are denoted with reference numerals similar to those employed hereinabove, but with the addition of a prefix corresponding to the number of the principal drawings in which they appear. Thus, for example, in  FIGS. 3A-4B , the blast containment container referenced  30  in  FIGS. 1-2B , is denoted by the reference numeral  330 , while in  FIGS. 5A-6B  the same component is denoted by the reference numeral  530 . 
         [0059]    It will further be appreciated that while examples of specific combinations only, are shown and described hereinbelow, in accordance with the present invention, different types of components may be employed with different embodiments of the invention, even if not specifically described. Thus, by way of example only, the embodiments shown and described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 3A-6B  could incorporate the fully confined container employed in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A-8B , and vice versa. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-4C , there is provided a safe inspection system, referenced generally  310 , constructed and operative in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0061]    System  310  is characterized by employing a pair of mutually and oppositely slidable planar inspection elements, referenced  324   a  and  324   b,  mounted for sliding motion between inlet  332  ( FIG. 3B ) of blast containment container  330 , and barrier element  342 , which is affixed to an upper portion of container  330  as by any suitable connection means,  334  ( FIG. 3B ). As seen in  FIG. 3B , the sliding motion is facilitated by any suitable track means, referenced  326 , which enable a lateral opening of inspection elements  320 , as required. Typically, there are provided a pair of handles  328  for manually sliding apart the inspection elements, although this is by way of example only, and any other hand or foot operated means, whether manual, automatic or semi-automatic, are considered to be well within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0062]    Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 4A-4B , it is seen that the exemplary blast containment container  330  of the present embodiment is a semi-confined container. The container may be any suitable conventional container, as described above, and is thus not specifically described herein. 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-6C , there is provided a safe inspection system, referenced generally  510 , constructed and operative in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0064]    System  510  is characterized by employing an inspection module  520  in the form of a housing, such as a suitable formed cabinet, which serves to enclose blast containment container  530  ( FIG. 5B ). When in a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the inspection module defines at an upper portion thereof, an inspection element  524 , having thereon inspection surface  522 , above which is an arch-shaped barrier element  542 , which is affixed to an upper portion of container  530  as by a suitable flanged connection, referenced  534 . 
         [0065]    As seen in  FIG. 5B , housing  520  has inward-facing tracks or slide elements  526 , thereby to permit a low-friction, guided lateral motion of the housing  520  and thus inspection surface  522 , as indicated schematically by arrow  552 , relative to container  530  and barrier element  542 , in order to instantly deposit a suspicious object in container  530 . 
         [0066]    Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 6A-6B , it is seen that the exemplary blast containment container  530  of the present embodiment is a semi-confined container, generally as described above, and is thus not described again herein. 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-8B , there is provided a safe inspection system, referenced generally  710 , constructed and operative in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are pictorial views of a third embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which the inspection module is a pivotable planar member mounted over a fully confined blast containment container, wherein the system is illustrated in respective closed and open positions. 
         [0069]    System  710  is characterized by employing an inspection module  720  in the form of a generally cylindrical housing which serves to enclose blast containment container  730  ( FIG. 7B ). When in a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the inspection module defines at an upper portion thereof, an inspection element  724 , having thereon inspection surface  722 , above which is an arch-shaped barrier element  742 , which is affixed to an upper portion of housing  720  as by a suitable pivot connection, referenced  734 . Pivot connection  734  may be provided by a suitable bolt, or the like. As seen in  FIG. 7B , in order to easily and rapidly transfer a suspicious object into container  730 , it is simply required to grasp inspection member  724 , as by handle  728 , thereby removing the support provided by inspection surface  722  to the suspicious object, while exposing the inlet  732  of the container  730 , instantly causing the object to fall into the container. 
         [0070]    Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 8A-8B , it is seen that the exemplary blast containment container  730  of the present embodiment is a total confinement container, generally as described above, and is thus not described again herein. 
         [0071]    It will further be appreciated that with the preponderance of containment systems for explosives, as exists in the prior art, the present invention also includes a kit for converting a blast containment container to a safe inspection system, as shown and described hereinabove. 
         [0072]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described hereinabove, merely by way of example. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow: