Patent Publication Number: US-2005121346-A1

Title: Mountable container apparatus for patient transport device and methods regarding same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/527,375 filed 5 Dec. 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/616,996 filed 8 Oct. 2004, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to transport devices (e.g., patient transport devices such as gurney&#39;s, stretchers, beds, etc.). More particularly, the present invention pertains to the movement of a person&#39;s belongings along with such transport devices.  
      Various methods are available for movement of a person (e.g., a patient) and/or secure movement of a person&#39;s personal affects in one or more settings (e.g., outpatient surgery, emergency room environments, long term care facilities, movement of a patient from floor to floor in a hospital, etc.). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,230 to Congdon, entitled “Patient Transporter,” issued 9 Apr. 1991, describes the transport of a patient&#39;s belongings along with the patient using a patient transport system. The provision of locked containers and the use of disposable plastic bags are described therein.  
      Further, for example, other ways of securing the personal belongings of a person (e.g., a patient) are also used in one or more situations such that the person&#39;s personal property is not lost, misplaced, soiled, or stolen while the person is away from such belongings. For example, lockers or other check-in systems have been used for securing a person&#39;s personal property.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention, at least in one embodiment, reduces the risk of a person&#39;s personal property, when disassociated therefrom, from being lost, misplaced, soiled, or stolen. Further, the present invention, at least in one embodiment, is designed to provide for security of such a person&#39;s belongings and information, thereby minimizing potential institutional liability for the loss of, for example, a patient&#39;s personal items or patient information. In other words, the present invention, at least in one embodiment, is provided to assist in protecting a staff, institution, and a patient from loss of personal belongings and patient information (e.g., protect a person&#39;s privacy). One or more of the embodiments of the present invention may be employed to achieve one or more of the benefits or advantages described herein.  
      A container apparatus for use with a transport device (e.g., a stretcher, a gurney, an examination cart, a wheelchair), according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes a closeable outer container mountable to the transport device. Further, the container apparatus includes at least one single use inner container configured to be retained within the outer container. The at least one single use inner container defines an opening through which objects associated with a person may be inserted into the single use inner container. The at least one single use inner container includes a tamper evident closure for use in sealing the opening.  
      In one embodiment of the container apparatus, the closeable outer container may be lockable to secure the at least one single use inner container within the closeable outer container. Further, for example, the container apparatus may include a keylock for locking the closeable outer container. The keylock being locked only when a key thereof is removed. Such a key may be secured to the person who owns the belongings.  
      In another embodiment of the container apparatus, the closeable outer container includes a first body of material defining a cavity configured to receive the at least one single use inner container. Further, the closeable outer container may include a second body of material extending from the first body of material to a distal end thereof with a mounting device associated with the distal end of the second body of the material for use in mounting the closeable outer container to the transport device (e.g., using a hook and loop fastener mounting device).  
      Yet further, in another embodiment of the container apparatus, the mounting device associated with the distal end of the second body of material may be configured to position the closeable outer container in a first state at least partially under a surface of the transport device when mounted thereto and when the outer container is closed. Further, the mounting device is configured to allow the closeable outer container to be repositioned to a second state at least partially above the surface of the transport device such that the cavity defined by the first body of material is accessible.  
      Still further, the container apparatus may further include an attachment mechanism adapted to secure the closeable outer container to the transport device after the closeable outer container is mounted thereto, and/or the single use inner container may include a handle (e.g., integrally formed with the container).  
      A method for securing objects belonging to a person when the person is transported using a transport device is also described. The method includes providing a closeable outer container mountable to the transport device. The method further includes inserting the objects of the person into at least one single use inner container configured to be retained within the closeable outer container. The at least one single use inner container includes a tamper evident closure for use in sealing the single use inner container. The at least one single use inner container is inserted within the closeable outer container (e.g., before or after the objects are inserted therein).  
      One or more embodiments of the method for securing such objects may further include one or more of the following features or steps: locking the closeable outer container (e.g., using a keylock); mounting the closeable outer container onto the transport device; providing a closeable outer container that includes a first body of material defining a cavity configured to receive at least one single use inner container, and a second body of material extending from the first body of material to a distal end thereof; positioning a first portion of a hook and loop fastener on a surface of a transport device, and thereafter attaching a second portion of a hook and loop fastener associated with the distal end of the second body of material to the first portion of the hook and loop fastener; mounting the closeable outer container onto the transport device such that the closeable outer container is in a first state at least partially under a surface of the transport device when mounted thereto; mounting the closeable outer container onto the transport device such that the closeable outer container is repositionable to a second state at least partially above the surface of the transport device such that a cavity defined within the closeable outer container is accessible (e.g., the closeable outer container rests on the surface of the transport device and the cavity is accessible); and securing the closeable outer container to the transport device after the closeable outer container is mounted thereto (e.g., using a lanyard).  
      A liner apparatus for use with a container apparatus mountable onto a transport device is also described. For example, the liner apparatus may include a body of liner material defining a cavity and an opening through which objects associated with a person may be inserted into the cavity. The body of liner material is configured to be retained within the mountable container apparatus when objects associated with a person are inserted into the cavity. The liner apparatus may further include a tamper evident closure for use in sealing the opening. In one or more embodiments, the liner apparatus may further include a handle, and the tamper evident closure may include a perforated tear strip.  
      The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Advantages, together with a more complete understanding of the invention, will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a generalized block diagram of a personal object security system including a mountable container apparatus according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a personal object security method according to the present invention that may be implemented using a personal object security system such as that shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of one exemplary security access technique as generally shown in the method of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show perspective views of one exemplary embodiment of a personal object security system such as generalized in  FIG. 1 ; wherein  FIG. 4A  shows a mountable container apparatus in a first state under a surface of the transport apparatus, and  FIG. 4B  shows the mountable container apparatus in a second state above the surface of the transport device ready for access by a person.  
       FIGS. 5A-5D  show a first side view, a top plan view (with a portion thereof removed), a second side view, and a third side view (with a portion thereof removed) of one embodiment of the mountable container apparatus shown generally in  FIGS. 4A and 4B .  
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a single use inner container that may be used in a personal object security system such as that shown generally in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 7  shows a top plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a single use inner container such that may be used in the personal object security system shown generally in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a personal object security system according to the present invention, including a mountable container apparatus as shown in  FIG. 8A  along with a single use inner container as shown in  FIG. 8B .  
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a personal object security system according to the present invention, including a mountable container apparatus as shown in  FIG. 9A  along with a single use inner container as shown in  FIG. 9B .  
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of a personal object security system according to the present invention mountable on a wheelchair, including a mountable container apparatus as shown in  FIG. 10A  along with a single use inner container as shown in  FIG. 10B . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention shall generally be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . A more detailed description of one or more various embodiments of the present invention shall then be described with reference to  FIGS. 3-10 . It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements from one embodiment may be used in combination with elements of the other embodiments, and that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Further, it will be recognized that the embodiments of the present invention described herein will include many elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Further, it will be recognized that the size and shape of various elements herein may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention, although one or more shapes and sizes may be advantageous over others.  
       FIG. 1  shows a generalized block diagram of a personal object security system  10  according to the present invention. The personal object security system  10 , shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , includes a mountable container apparatus  11 . The mountable container apparatus  11  includes a mountable outer container apparatus  20  mounted to a transport device  12  by a mounting structure  22 . The mountable outer container apparatus  20  defines a cavity  23  (e.g., a defined volume). Further, the mountable outer container  20  defines an opening  17  for access to the cavity  23 . The mountable outer container  20  further includes a closure structure  26  for use in closing the opening  17 . Further, a locking structure  28  is provided to secure the contents within cavity  23  (e.g., to lock the closure structure  26 ).  
      As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the mountable outer container  20  is configured to retain a single use inner container  24  (e.g., an inner container defining an inner volume  29  and an opening  19  such that objects  15  may be inserted therein) within cavity  23 . Preferably, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the single use inner container includes a tamper evident closure for use in sealing the opening  19 .  
      The transport device  12  may include any apparatus upon which the outer container  20  can be mounted using mounting structure  22 . At least in one embodiment, the transport device  12  may include a device usable to transport a person (e.g., a patient or client). For example, the transport device  12  may include a gurney, a stretcher, a wheelchair, a cart, or any other apparatus used to move a person from one position to another. For example, such transport devices are used in hospitals, clinics, health care institutions, etc.  
      The mountable outer container  20  may be constructed of any material suitable for preventing access to objects (e.g., including access to the single use inner container  24 ) positioned within the cavity  23  thereof. For example, the outer container  20  may be formed of one or more materials such as vinyl, plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, etc. Further, the mountable outer container  20  may be configured in one or more various shapes and sizes. Preferably, the mountable container is of a size adequate to retain the belongings of a patient in one or more settings (e.g., clothes, jewelry, private papers, wallets, shoes, and/or purses, belong to a patient at a hospital, clinic, health care institution, etc.).  
      The outer container  20  may be mounted to the transport device  12  by one or more various types of mounting structure  22 . For example, the mounting structure  22  may include plastic or metal brackets, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), bolts for attaching the outer container  20  onto a frame of a transport device, slide tracks for receiving the outer container on a transport device, etc.  
      Further, the outer container  20  may be attached at various portions of the transport device  12 . For example, the mountable outer container  20  may be attached at the head, under the back rest, at the foot or underside of a stretcher frame, or any other portion of any other transport device  12 . Further, for example, in one embodiment the outer container  20  is mounted such that the outer container  20  is in a first state at least partially under a surface of a transport device  12  (e.g., see  FIG. 4A ) when mounted thereto and such that the closeable outer container  20  is repositionable to a second state at least partially above the surface of the transport device  12  (e.g., see  FIG. 4B ) such that the cavity  23  defined within the outer container  20  is accessible, for example, to a person positioning or retrieving a single use inner container  24  within or from the outer container  20 .  
      The closure structure  26  for use in closing the opening  17  into cavity  23  may include any suitable mechanism for providing such closure. For example, the closure structure  26  may include a zipper with or without a lock, a mechanical latch with or without a lock, single use adhesive strips, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), buttons, snaps, or any other type of closeable linkage.  
      Locking structure  28  used to lock the closure structure  26  to prevent access to the cavity  23  may include any suitable lock that can be associated with the closure structure  26  to prevent such access. For example, locking structure  28  may include a keylock, combination security seal (e.g., serialized or other), an electronic keypad lock, a combination lock, or any other lock where a person can be provided with a personalized mechanism for unlocking the outer container  20 . For example, a keylock that locks only when a key is removed and which can be kept in possession of a patient until it is time to remove belongings or objects  15  from the interior cavity  23  of the outer container  20  may be used.  
      The single use inner container  24  may be formed of any suitable material such as, for example, those providing a sanitary condition for retaining objects belonging to a person. For example, the single use inner container  24  may be formed of an opaque plastic such that the objects can be seen, fiber materials, mesh materials, Tyvek-type material, etc.  
      The single use inner container  24  is provided with a tamper evident closure for sealing opening  19  after objects  15  belonging to a person are inserted therein. The tamper evident closure refers to any closure having a seal that when opened cannot be resealed without the appearance of a disruption to the seal. For example, a tamper evident closure may include an adhesive seal that includes a perforated tear strip or flap (e.g., one that may be pulled from any direction to break the seal and open the closure, much like a Federal Express package); a tamper evident adhesive; a flap element with perforations that can be form-fit to the outer container  20  for easy storing and removal; etc. In one or more other embodiments, closures that are not necessarily tamper evident may also be used, such as Ziploc closures, pressure sensitive adhesives, etc.  
      Further, the single use inner container  24  may include one or more other various features such as a carrying handle, a region thereon that can be written upon (e.g., the patient&#39;s ID may be written thereon), a pocket for receiving a card identifying the person to whom the objects within the single use inner container belong, and regions or portions attached or integral therewith that may include a serialized number that can be logged to a person whose belongings have been positioned within the single use inner container  24 .  
      In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the personal object security system  10  may include a secure attachment mechanism  30  that is secured at a first end  31  to the transport device  12  and at a second end  32  to the mountable container apparatus  11 . The secure attachment mechanism  30  may include any mechanism that may be used to prevent a quick grab and run theft of the mounted outer container apparatus  20 . For example, the secure attachment mechanism  30  may include a lanyard, a chain attaching mechanism, or any other mechanical securing device.  
      One embodiment of the mountable container apparatus  11  is designed to protect the staff, institution, and a patient from loss of personal belongings and patient privacy. For example, the mountable container apparatus  11  may be suitable for mounting to a stretcher or any patient transport device and is designed to provide additional security for patient belongings and information, therefore minimizing the potential for institutional liability for loss of a patient&#39;s personal items or compromised patient information privacy.  
      However, the present invention may also be used in one or more other applications, with or without being mounted to a transport device  12  (e.g., a container apparatus  11  that is not mounted and may or may not include a mounting structure  22 ). For example, such a container apparatus  11  that includes at least the outer container  20  and the single use inner container  24 , with or without one or more of the associated features (e.g., locking structure, closure structure, etc.) may be used in applications such as in police station where objects of a person are typically secured, an airport security situation where a person&#39;s belongings may be secured for a period of time, or any other application where security of the belongings of a person are an issue.  
      One or more personal object security methods may be implemented using the personal object security system  10  generalized in  FIG. 1 . For example, one exemplary embodiment of a personal object security method  40  is shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 .  
      The personal object security method  40 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , includes providing a mountable outer container  20  (block  42 ). The mountable outer container  20  is mounted to the transport device  12  (block  44 ). A single use inner container  24  is provided to a person (block  48 ). One or more objects belonging to the person are inserted into the single use inner container  24  (block  46 ). The single use inner container  24  is then inserted into the mountable outer container  20  (block  50 ). One skilled in the art will understand that the objects may be inserted into the single use inner container  24  before the single use inner container  24  is positioned within cavity  23  of the mountable outer container  20 , or after insertion of the single use inner container  24  into the outer container  20 .  
      After insertion of the single use inner container  24  into the mountable outer container  20  (block  50 ), a technique for securing access only to the person owning the belongings or objects inserted into the single use inner container  24  is employed (block  52 ). Such a secure access technique (block  52 ) generally includes locking the outer container  20  (block  54 ) and, thereafter, providing access to the interior cavity  23  of the locked outer container  20  to obtain the single use inner container  24  therefrom (block  56 ).  
      Once a person is given access to the single use inner container  24  (block  56 ), the single use inner container  24  can be visually inspected to determine if the inner container  24  has been compromised (block  58 ). For example, with use of the tamper evident closure on the single use inner container  24 , if someone has tampered with the single use inner container  24 , a visual inspection will provide notice that such tampering has occurred.  
       FIG. 3  shows one exemplary embodiment of a more detailed secure access technique  52  that may be used in implementing the personal object security method  40  as shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, the outer mountable container  20  may be locked using a keylock locking structure  28  (block  60 ). The key associated with the keylock is then secured with the patient whose belongings are within the single use inner container  24  positioned within the mountable outer container  20  (block  62 ). For example, any suitable wristband may be attached to the key which can be secured or placed on the patient&#39;s wrist or attached in some other fashion to the patient. When the patient whose belongings are within the single use inner container  24  desires access thereto, the patient provides the key for opening the keylock which is securing the outer mountable container  20  (block  64 ). Using the provided key, the patient can access the single use inner container  24  within the outer container  20  (block  66 ).  
      One will recognize that various other techniques for tracking the single use inner container  24  with the patient whose belongings are positioned therein may be used in combination with any other features described herein. For example, serialization of the single use inner containers and logging of such containers to patients may be used for tracking purposes. Further, various mechanisms for unlocking the outer container  20  may be secured with the patient in one or more various ways. For example, a card-type key may be attached to a patient by hook and loop fasteners, or otherwise secured to the person. Further, for example, the card may also include serialization data and/or patient identification data or other information.  
      In one particular exemplary embodiment, related to use of a mountable container apparatus  11  in a clinic or hospital setting, the outer container  20  may be a heavy duty vinyl pouch (e.g., similar to that of a backpack) that attaches securely and easily to an existing transport device (e.g., a stretcher). The heavy duty pouch may attach onto the stretcher frame, for example, under a backrest located at the head end of the stretcher, at the foot of the stretcher, or under the stretcher.  
      The pouch may open with a zipper and lock with a key locking device. A patient&#39;s personal articles and valuables can be stored in a single use tamper evident plastic liner that can be retained within the pouch. The liner may have an adhesive strip to seal an opening defined in the single use liner through which personal articles and valuables are inserted. Further, the liner may have an integrated carrying handle and a perforated easy opening tear strip (e.g., like a Federal Express package). Thus, this ensures a person&#39;s property remains within a tamper evident package while locked in the stretcher-attached pouch.  
      Further, in one such embodiment, a key for locking the pouch can only be removed when the lock is in a locked position. A wristband that holds the key may be placed on the patient&#39;s wrist throughout an examination or other procedure which required the use of the pouch. Upon completion of the examination, the patient may return the key to the attending nurse, who unlocks the pouch and returns the tamper evident plastic liner to the patient. Visual examination quickly determines if the liner has been compromised. In this particular embodiment, the key remains in the lock until the next process with the same or a different person.  
      Such an embodiment of the personal object security system  10  virtually eliminates the risk of a patient&#39;s personal property being lost, misplaced, soiled, or stolen. Further, the mountable container apparatus  11  eliminates the need for costly lockers that also consume valuable space. The mountable container apparatus  11  in the form of such a pouch is easily and securely attached to existing and conventional transport devices, such as stretchers, and further, with use of the single use, sanitary, tamper evident liner with easy carrying handle, a patient&#39;s personal property can be kept clean and secure before, during, and after an examination.  
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  and  FIGS. 5A-5D  show one exemplary embodiment of a personal object security system  10  generalized in  FIG. 1 . The personal object security system  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B , includes a stretcher  101  upon which a mountable container apparatus  120  is mounted. The stretcher  101  includes a stretcher frame  102  transportable by wheels  104 . Stretcher frame  102  supports a bedding surface  103  upon which a pad  106  is positioned.  
      The mountable container apparatus  120  includes mountable outer container  121  which defines a cavity (not shown) in which a single use inner container  130  is received (see  FIG. 4B ). The single use inner container  130  includes a body of liner material  132  defining a cavity (not shown) and an opening  135  through which objects associated with a person may be inserted into the cavity. The body of liner material  132  is configured to be retained within the mountable outer container  121  when objects associated with the person are inserted into the cavity. The body of liner material  132  has associated therewith a tamper evident closure  136  for use in sealing the opening  135 , as well as a handle  134 .  
      The mountable outer container  121  is shown in further detail in  FIGS. 5A-5D . Generally, the mountable outer container  121  includes a first body of material  122  defining a cavity (not shown) configured to receive the at least one single use inner container  130  and a second body of material  124  extending from the first body of material  122  to a distal end  125  thereof.  FIG. 5A  shows a first side view along the length of the outer container  121 ,  FIG. 5B  shows a top plan view of the outer container  121  with a second body of material  124  removed,  FIG. 5C  shows a second side view along a length of the outer container  121  opposite  FIG. 5A , and  FIG. 5D  shows a third side view of the outer container  121  again with the second body of material  124  removed.  
      As shown in  FIG. 5A , the outer container  121  includes the first body of material  122  which defines a cavity (not shown) in which the single use inner container  130  is received and the second body of material  124  extending therefrom. As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D , the first body of material  122  defining the cavity includes four sides  134 - 137 , along with an access top panel  132  and a bottom panel  131 . Generally, although outer container  121  may take various shapes, the outer container  121 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D , is rectangular-shaped. The second body of material  124  (e.g., a rectangular-shaped panel) extends from a first end  129  attached to side panel  136  of the first body of material to a second distal end  125 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D , the outer container  121  includes a zipper  126  as the closure structure that allows the outer container  121  to be closed. In one particular embodiment, the zipper  126  is a three-sided circumfluent locking zipper (e.g., circumfluent with three sides of the four-sided (e.g., sides  134 - 137 ) outer container  121 ). The zipper  126  allows for securing closing material  401  associated with upper access panel  132  to the remainder portion  402  of the upper access panel  132 .  
      As further shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D , a keylock structure  140  is provided for locking the zipper  126  in a secure position after a single use inner container  130  is positioned within the cavity defined by the first body of material  122 . The keylock structure  140  is provided with a pocket  141  for positioning purposes. One will recognize that various locking structures may be used.  
      As further shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D , a mounting structure  146  is associated with the distal end  125  of the second body of material  124  for use in mounting the outer container  121  to the stretcher  101  or any other transport device. The configuration of the outer mountable container  120  shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D  allows the outer container  121  to be mounted to the stretcher  101  for ease of use and such that the mountable container apparatus  120  is not undesirably in the way of personnel using the stretcher  101 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the outer container  121  is mounted using the mounting device  146  at the distal end  125  of the second body of material  124 . The mounting device  146  is secured on the surface  103  of stretcher  101  such that the first body of material  122  (e.g., the rectangular body of material defining a cavity in which the single use inner container  130  is inserted) is positioned or allowed to hang off the edge  105  of the surface  103  and out of the way under the stretcher surface  103 . In this first state (e.g., a stowed state), the bottom panel  131  of the first body of material  122  faces outward from the stretcher  101 .  
      In one exemplary embodiment, the mounting device  146  includes a first hook and loop fastener portion  147  attached at the distal end  125  of the second body of material  124 . The size of such a hook and loop fastener portion  147  is dependent upon the necessary load to be borne thereby. A second hook and loop fastener portion  148  is mounted on the surface  103 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . In such a manner, the first hook and loop fastener portion  147  is attached to the second hook and loop fastener portion  148  mounted on surface  103 , and the mountable outer container  121  is attached such that it can be stowed below surface  103 . One will recognize that the length of the second body of material  124  (e.g., the strap) attaching the first body of material  122  to the stretcher  101  is long enough to allow the bag to hang out of the way, under the stretcher surface  103 . However, the length of the second body of material  124  must be also short enough such that the outer container  121  does not drag on the surface over which the stretcher  101  is being transported.  
      With the outer container mounted on stretcher surface  103 , as described with reference to  FIG. 4A , the outer container  121  can be flipped into a second state (e.g., an access state) for unloading or loading of objects into the cavity defined by the outer container  121 . In this access position, the top access panel  132  is presented to a user such that zipper  126  is accessible. The strap or second body of material  124  is long enough to permit the outer container  121  to be flipped onto the pad  106  or another, for example, flat or otherwise configured surface (e.g., for loading and unloading). In other words, the outer container  121  is flipped into a position for access to zipper  126  and to allow the outer container  121  to be opened (e.g., unlocking and/or unzipping). The single use inner container  130  can then be removed from or loaded into the cavity defined by the outer container  121 .  
      As further shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5C , grommets  145  are formed or otherwise associated with the second body of material  124 . Such grommets  145  provide a location for implementing a secure attachment mechanism  30 , as shown generally in  FIG. 1 . For example, the grommets  145  allow for use of a lanyard to be inserted through one or more of the openings formed by the grommets  145  and then be attached to frame  102  of stretcher  101  for additional security. However, any other additional attachment mechanism may be used to provide security for preventing a grab and run situation.  
       FIG. 6  shows an alternate embodiment of a single use inner container as shown generally in  FIG. 1 . The single use inner container  170  of  FIG. 6  includes a body of liner material  174  which, when in its expanded state, takes a generally rectangular form. The single use inner container  170  shown in  FIG. 6  is in a configuration such that it has objects positioned therein.  
      The body of liner material  174  generally defines a cavity in which the objects may be placed through an opening  173 . The opening  173  may be closed by way of a tamper evident closure  176  which extends adjacent the opening  173 . The tamper evident closure  176 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , includes an adhesive seal with a perforated tear strip for opening the single use inner container  170 . Further, the body of liner material  174  includes handle structure  172  extending therefrom for ease of use.  
       FIG. 7  shows a top view of an unused single use inner container such as that for use in implementing the personal object security system  10  shown generally in  FIG. 1 . The single use inner container  180 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , includes a rectangular two-panel body of material  183  (only the top panel being shown in  FIG. 7 ). The panels extend from a first end  181  to a second end  182 .  
      An opening  187  is defined at the first end  181  for insertion of objects within the body of material  183 . The opening  187  is shown as a dotted line opening as it is on the reverse side or bottom panel (not shown) of the two panel body of material  183 .  
      A covered seal tape  190  is formed at the first end  181  of the body of material  183  and adjacent to the opening  187 . A mating surface  192  for the seal tape is positioned such that when the tape backing of the covered seal tape  190  is removed and the seal tape  190  is positioned on the mating surface  192 , then the opening  187  is sealed and cannot be opened and resealed without compromising the seal in one manner or another. A perforated tear strip  188  is provided along the width of the liner material  183  at the first end  181  for ease in opening the sealed single use inner container  180 .  
      As further shown in  FIG. 7 , an opening  184  is provided through both the top and bottom panels of the body of liner material  183  so as to form a handle for carrying purposes. The opening  184  is formed at the second end  182  opposite the opening  187 .  
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  show an alternative embodiment of a personal object security system such as that shown generally in  FIG. 1 . The personal object security system  200  includes a mountable container apparatus  220  mounted on a gurney  201 . The mountable container apparatus  220  includes an outer container  221  (as shown in  FIG. 8A ) that defines a cavity (not shown) for receiving removable sealed plastic inner liner  240  as shown in  FIG. 8B . The removable inner liner  240  defines a cavity  241  for receiving objects through an opening  242  thereof. A tamper evident closure is provided for use with the removable inner liner  240 .  
      The gurney  201  includes a frame structure  202 . The frame structure  202  includes frame tubes  206  generally running longitudinally with the gurney length. Further, other frame structure  204  is provided across frame structure  202  for providing support for the structure.  
      The outer container  221  is formed by a body of material  222  having a plurality of sides, one of which is a top panel  229  that includes a zipper  230  for providing access into the interior of the outer container  221 . Various attachment flaps  226 ,  227 ,  228  are provided for mounting the outer container  221  to the gurney  201 . For example, attachment flaps  226  are fastened using Velcro to frame tubes  206 , attachment strips  227  are used for mounting outer container  221  to a bracket  212  positioned between the frame tubes  206 , and attachment flap  228  is used for mounting the outer container  221  using bracket  210  bolted to the gurney frame  202 . One skilled in the art will recognize that various attachment mechanisms may be used to mount the outer container  221  and that the types of attachment flaps and locations thereof may vary.  
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show yet another alternative embodiment of a personal object security system such as that shown generally in  FIG. 1 . The personal object security system  300  includes a mountable container apparatus  320  (as shown in  FIG. 9A ) including an outer container  321  mounted to a gurney  302 . The outer container  321  defines a cavity in which a single use inner container  340  (as shown in  FIG. 9B ) is received.  
      The single use inner container  340  includes a clean, disposable and security sealable, plastic liner bag  342  which can be inserted and received into outer container  321 . The single use inner container  340  includes an opening  346  through which objects may be inserted and which is closed by a tamper evident closure. Further, the inner container  340  includes a handle  344  attached or otherwise associated therewith.  
      The gurney  302  includes a frame structure  303  comprising framing tubes  326  which run in the longitudinal direction along the length of the gurney  302 . Various framing structures are used to support the longitudinally running framing tubes  326 , as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
      The outer container  321  includes a plurality of sides for defining a cavity in which the single use inner container  340  may be received. One of such sides of the outer container  321  includes a locking peripheral zipper  330  which can be opened for access to the interior of the outer container  321 . The outer container  321  is mounted to the longitudinally extending framing tubes  306  by attachment flaps  326 . The attachment flaps  326  are wrapped around the framing tubes  306  and then attached back to the outer container  321  using hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro).  
      One will recognize that various locations of the transport devices may be used for positioning of the outer containers as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 9A , the mountable outer container  321  is mounted beneath a structure that would support a person lying on the gurney (the structure surfaces and pads used to support such a person being removed to show the location of the outer container  321 ). The same applies to the structure for supporting a person in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 .  
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show an alternative embodiment of a personal object security system such as that shown generally in  FIG. 1  used with a wheelchair  402 . The personal object security system  400  includes a mountable container apparatus  420  mounted on the wheelchair  402 , and also separated from the wheelchair  402  as shown by the dashed line drawing of the mountable container apparatus  420  in  FIG. 10A .  
      The mountable container apparatus  420  includes an outer container  421  (as shown in  FIG. 10A ) that defines a cavity  422  for receiving a removable liner bag  440  as shown in  FIG. 10B . The removable inner liner bag  440  includes a body of material  442  that defines a cavity therein (not shown) for receiving objects through an opening defined therein. A tamper evident closure  441  is provided for use with the removable inner liner  440  and a handle  444  is also defined in the body of material  442 .  
      The wheelchair  402  includes a frame structure  403  that defines a seat  404  in which a person may be seated. The frame structure  403  includes a plurality of frame tubes  406  (e.g., generally running parallel to one another) along the back side of the wheelchair  402 . Further, other frame structure of the wheelchair  402  provides other functionality (e.g., frame that supports the person seated, frame structure that supports the wheels of the chair, etc.). Although the mountable container apparatus  420  is described as being mounted to the back of the wheelchair  402  employing framing associated with the frame tubes  406 , one skill in the art will recognize that the mountable container apparatus  420  may be mounted on other parts of the wheelchair  402  as well (e.g., below the seat  404  of the wheelchair  402 , along the side of the wheelchair  402 , etc.).  
      The outer container  421  is formed of a body of material  424  having a plurality of sides (e.g., formed in a rectangular shape, shaped liked backpack, etc.). One of the sides is a top panel  429  that includes a zipper closure  430  for providing access into the cavity  422  (e.g., interior) of the outer container  421 . A locking feature such as described with reference to  FIG. 1  may also be employed with the zipper closure  430 .  
      Various attachment structure  426  and  428  are provided for mounting the outer container  421  to the wheelchair  402  (e.g., hook and loop fasteners wrapping about the framing structure, additional brackets for supporting the outer container  421 , etc.). One skilled in the art will recognize that various attachment mechanisms may be used to mount the outer container  421  and that the types of attachment structure  426 ,  428  will vary, as will the locations thereof.  
      Yet further, an additional secure attachment mechanism may be used to prevent a quick grab and run theft of the mountable outer container  421 . For example, the secure attachment mechanism may include grommets  451  defining openings through which a lanyard may be inserted and secured to the wheelchair  402 .  
      All patents, patent documents, and references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety as if each were incorporated separately. This invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. As described previously, one skilled in the art will recognize that other various illustrative applications may use the techniques as described herein to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein (e.g., sports facilities, nursing home facilities, police stations, prisons, etc.). Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments to the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description.