| 摘要 |
A method and associated apparatus are given for a novel way to overcome the difficulty of achieving absolutely certainty that the contents of a cargo container have not been accessed between the time it is packed and sealed at its point of origin and the time it is reopened at its destination. The concept is rather than to try to make the container impregnable, is to make certain that if the integrity of a container is violated, then than fact will be recorded without fail. The method consists of placing the cargo inside a secure enveloping structure, the physical continuity of which cannot be cut, or interrupted however briefly, without authorities being alerted. To achieve this the enveloping structure is made of semiconducting material. Immediately prior to sealing the contents at the point of origin a monitoring device housed inside the envelope is switched on. This device will monitor and record the temperature compensated electrical conductivity of the enveloping structure on a frequent and continual basis for the entire period of transit, the output of which will alert authorities of any interruption of continuity. The semiconductive material from which the secure envelope is made may be rigid and/or transparent. The envelope may be in the shape and size proportions of a typical metal freight container to facilitate its transportation to its destination in one of these common carriers.
|
