This disclosure relates to a lockable container in general and in particular to use with a lockable security lid that may be adapted to work in conjunction with smart security systems. A tote security monitoring system is disclosed, including an activation box in the lid.
Goods are transported in a variety of containers. For transporting goods, companies have invested in relatively expensive nestable plastic distribution containers, sometimes called totes. The nesting design of plastic totes, including with attached lids (usually two but sometimes one hinged lid), can save space during return shipping and storage. Such durable distribution containers are reusable long-term. Plastic distribution containers benefit our environment by being reused and then recycled at the end of their long life cycle.
Plastic distribution totes often have molded features, such as hand grips or handles between stacking protrusions on each end. A wide variety of components can be molded into plastic or enhanced composite totes.
Distribution totes with attached lids are common for use in distributing pharmaceuticals or other valuable items. The hinged attached lids can offer tamper-evident security when used in conjunction with plastic cable ties or labels that extend across the opening of the hinge attached lid sections. But such distribution totes lack robust security features.
Theft of expensive pharmaceuticals is a problem, but completely replacing long-term reusable totes would also be a large expense. A majority of the theft of pharmaceuticals occurs when the drugs are being transported by the “last mile” carrier to the pharmacies. The PVC plastic totes common at this level are not as secure as practical.
Tops of totes currently with two hinge attached lid sections are currently easy to breach, such as by prying apart the middle seam of the lids on the tote. In some instances, the plastic walls themselves can be easily breached.
The present disclosure provides a separate lockable security lid that can be used with existing distribution totes, including those with two hinge-attached lids that are common in distributing pharmaceuticals, and can also be used with improved custom-made totes and other reinforcements of enhanced totes. In one embodiment, the lockable security lid fits over and can lock to the top of existing distribution totes with two hinge-attached lids. Also, existing totes can be hardened with security liners so reusable lockable lids are not simply a security lid on an otherwise breachable tote. In addition to hardening existing totes, follow-on concepts and enhanced totes are disclosed in a lid, tote, and liner combination where the lid can be used on future designs.
A separate removable lid is adapted to lock to a tote. The lid includes a durable planar portion, a first end with a locking mechanism having a component that engages the tote, and a second end having a second lock or an undercut portion that slides on an end of the tote and secures to the tote. The lid preferably has a lip that extends below the top planar portion and a concealed undercut portion to prevent tampering.
The lid can have a variety of locking mechanisms. The lid may include a variety of security features and electronics.
In a preferred embodiment, a liner preferably with tabs can be inserted in the base portion of a tote for added security. The tabs may extend over the edge of the tote and cooperate with the locking mechanism of a security lid.
A tote security system can have a lid with a durable substantially planar portion having an aperture adjacent to a first end including a living hinge pivotable from the planar portion. A pivoting first end flap extending from the living hinge can have a channel that aligns with the aperture in the planar portion. A security bolt or cable can pass through the aperture in the planar portion and the channel of the pivoting first end flap to prevent the pivoting first end flap from pivoting along the living hinge when the bolt or cable is inserted.
The lockable container and a lockable security lid are not restricted to use with the transport of pharmaceuticals by the “last mile” carrier to the pharmacies. The enhanced containers and lids could be used to transport other valuables, such as jewels, or high-security items, such as confidential paperwork.
Separate lockable security lids can be initially used with existing or hardened totes, and can continue their life with next generation enhanced totes. The lids can be adapted to retrofit a tote with a tapered, stackable, nestable base portion, a hinged lid section attached to the base portion with stacking protrusions on each side of a handle. Also, the locking lid may be used with custom or enhanced totes to complement with added security of the lid.
The lid may include an activation box for an enhanced security level. Activation boxes in the lid of a tote may be used in connection with a command box and a control center.
Working scenarios for a monitoring system include podding, on road, normal delivery and abnormal removal or wrong delivery. Specific features may be used in the appropriate mode and in certain modes powered down when various capabilities are not required.
The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent, and the disclosure itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of lids, liners, containers and systems taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:
a shows fork-shaped pin and button as part of an unlocked locking mechanism;
a shows fork-shaped pin and button as part of a locked locking mechanism;
a shows a perspective view of a stacking protrusion;
The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the disclosure that are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
As shown in
The base 22 is shown as a tote 24 with a tapered, stackable, nestable base portion 40, two hinge lid sections 42 and 43 attached to the base portion 40, a handle 44 (preferably on each end) with stacking protrusions 46 and 47 on each side of the handle 44. The stacking protrusions 46 and 47 are typically used for nesting purposes when totes are stacked. In one embodiment, the tote 24 can be an existing container retrofitted with an enhanced security locking lid 20 or as detailed below, the tote 24 may be custom or enhanced to complement with added security of the lid 20.
The first end 28 can have a variety of locking mechanisms 30. For example, the locking mechanism 30 can be a mechanical lock 60, such as a keyed lock. The lid 20 and locking mechanism 30 may have locking bolts 63 that engage the tote 24 to hinder removal of the first end 28 of the lid 20 from the tote 24 as shown in cut-away
A mechanical lock embodiment is shown in
In a preferred embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
The tote 24 can be used as part of a larger system as more fully detailed below. The system architecture between activation boxes 82 in the lid 20, the command box 84 as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, a liner 80 can be inserted in the base portion 40 of a tote 24 for added security. The liner 80 can be sheet metal that is highly puncture resistant, a combination of materials including PVC and wire mesh, or a variety of composite materials with desired characteristics. The liner 80, either retrofitted or part of an enhanced tote, secures to base portion 40, preferably to be tapered, stackable, and nestable. For retrofitted totes, the liner 80 can be adhered inside a standard existing tote 24, or in composite totes, the liner 80 may be part of a composite lamination.
The liner 80 may have tabs 88, such as the four shown in
In addition to hardened plastic totes, the liner 80 can be made of metal with its conductive benefits. Wire or electrical contacts from the lid 20 may form contacts as part of sensors or other electronics in the lid 20. A metal liner may make is easier to hook up sensors for various electronic devices for easy reusability of the lid 20 and tote 24.
The tabs 88 can also provide contact areas for intelligent features. Contacts can be used for power or information transmission. As such, an electromagnetic lock would be harder to breach wherein locking bolts 63 magnetically interact with the tabs 88 or other receiving geometry. If a magnet is activated, the normal release mechanism will not allow the locking bolt 63 to pull back from the receiving socket to prevent removal of the locking mechanism 30 if forced.
A particular embodiment of a lid 120 is shown in
The pivoting first end 128 may include a channel 131 that aligns with the aperture 129 in the planar portion 126. The channel 131 may be molded integrally with the lid 120. Also, preferably in that same area, the lid 120 may include a recessed area 133 with a first end aperture window 135 that may be used with a cutting tool 136 further described below.
A security bolt 138 can be adapted to pass through aperture 129 in the planar portion 126, then the channel 131 of the pivoting first end 128. The security bolt 138 may be disposable plastic and a means to provide both physical and electronic security. As shown in
The security bolt 138 or other component, such as a cable, provides physical security as a locking mechanism 30 when passed through aperture 129 in the planar portion 126 and the channel 131 to prevent the pivoting first end 128 from pivoting along the living hinge 127. Physical security can be enhanced when the security bolt 138 also passes through a hole 151 in the base 22.
An RFID tag 190 can be built into or adhered to a surface of the security bolt 138. The RFID tag may be molded into the locking end portion 141 of the security bolt 138 for general purpose or for notification of tampering or authorized removal. An RFID tag 190 could be incorporated into any portion of the security bolt 138 to provide electronic security. The RFID tag 190 can preferably operate between 860-960 MHz with an antenna along the security bolt 138 with example dimensions of 95 mm×8.2 mm. The example RFID tag 190 may preferably be EPCglobal Class 1 Gen (version 1.2.0) compliant and ISO-18000-6C complaint.
As shown in
Enhanced lids 20 and enhanced totes 24 can be made and used after existing retrofitted totes are recycled. The stacking protrusions 46 and 47 can be reinforced or specific features for receiving locking bolts 63 or other components of a locking mechanism 30 can be incorporated into enhanced totes 24. The material options include composites, fiberglass, sheet plastic, wire mesh, carbon fiber mesh, and combinations of these. A composite lamination may also have integral ink packets to show and mark penetration points.
The disclosed lid 20 can help to substantially:
Retrofit existing totes
Increase deterrence
Increase physical security
Reduce damage and loss
Provide options for new custom and enhanced totes with various features.
An enhanced lid may be part of a larger system for an enhanced security level. Activation boxes 82 in the lid 20 may be used in connection with a command box 84 and a control center 86.
The lid 20 may include variations of activation boxes 82 for an enhanced security level. An activation box 82 may be as simple as passive RFID tag 90 without the need for an internal power supply. Features including the locking mechanism 30 may be enhanced, such as a mechanical lock, to a combination padlock to a digital pass code lock (or other e-lock system that can be pass code protected). An activation box 82 may include E-lock, motion detectors 92 and GPS/GSM tracking modules 72.
As an example
The command box 84 as shown in
A control center 86 may work in conjunction with the command box 84 and activation box 82 of the lid 20. The control center 86 may include a monitoring workstation 124 and a GSM module, including web-based monitoring portals as an option. A monitoring workstation 124 may include a plurality of screens 126 used with available technology, including or surpassing Windows XP/Vista OS compatible equipment and a SQL server 2008 database or otherwise available system specifications.
A multi-physics sensor terminal 192 can be mounted with an appropriate box and used in conjunction with a wireless datalogger and wireless data router. As shown in
A smart security system may have a variety of features. For example, a smart tote security system that could include an intelligent monitoring solution (IMS). An IMS can be used to monitor real-time structural, mechanical and environmental hazards on the target and to provide guidance on planned maintenance to promote safety and productivity. The components of this intelligent monitoring solution may include a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) monitoring system, such as
Working scenarios for the system include podding (i.e.
The podding mode per
On the road, the system can have RFID inventory system syncs at regular intervals, such as 5-10 minutes, and the command box 84 can upload inventory status to the control center 86.
In normal delivery, the system can have RFID inventory system start scanning. E-lock can switch from ON to Off, such as with a pass code sent via GSM. Motion detection modules can switch from ON to Off. The system can upload delivery status to the control center 86.
For abnormal removal or wrong delivery, an E-lock can be triggered with GPS tracking switches from Off to ON. Similarly, abnormal motion can trigger GPS tracking switching from Off to ON. Undesired removal or delivery can trigger an audible alarm 98. The activation box 82 can upload GPS information to the control center 86. The control center 86 can confirm alarm signals with the command box 84 though GSM.
As such, the system can, in effect, be like mobile warehouse management without the warehouse wherein the products are moving, rather than being in storage in a warehouse. The system can monitor and track lids 20 secured on hardened totes 24.
A cutting tool 136 can be used in conjunction with the security system including a security bolt 138 of
This disclosure has been described as having exemplary embodiments and is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations using its general principles. It is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as recited in the following claims. Further, this disclosure is intended to cover such variations from the present disclosure that come within the known or customary practice within the art to which it pertains.
This application asserts priority from provisional application 61/308,460 filed on Feb. 26, 2010 and provisional application 61/357,195 filed on Jun. 22, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61308460 | Feb 2010 | US | |
61357195 | Jun 2010 | US |