Example 1 -Secure transport and storage of election ballots

The embodiment of the present invention may be used to prevent election fraud whereby the container may be formed from a blank according to the various embodiments described herein. The resulting container may then be secured in a closed configuration with a lead, such as a die-stamped metal lead, or alternatively an embossed plastic lead, where the lead is marked with a unique identifying code, which may be a set of numbers and/or letters. The container may be secured by passing the lead through the holes in the security strip within the container, crimped to seal the lead as previously described, to assure security of the container during transport.

In such an embodiment intended to maintain election integrity, ballots may be placed into the interior of the container. For example, individual ballots may be inserted through a ballot slot arranged upright in the box by each voter. Alternatively, ballots collected at the polling place may be gathered by an election official, and placed into the interior of the container where upon the lid may be closed and a lead bearing a unique identifier code directed through the openings, and the lead secured and/or crimped to ensure the container remains sealed.

Once the container is filled with ballots, the unique set of numbers and/or letters of the lead will be recorded on a certified manifest by the courier, a copy will be placed inside the ballot slot, and covered over with packing tape. A second copy of a triplicated certified manifest will be left at the voting location to be placed with the voting roles, and a third copy of the certified manifest will be placed in a shipping pouch that is associated with the container, such as by being attached to the top of the box, similar to a plastic shipping label envelope applied to the container exterior surface.

Upon arrival at its final destination, inspection may be performed to ensure there is no damage to the container and the lead is still intact and unbroken; the courier will have the recipient match the number referenced on the shipping manifest that was placed in the plastic shipping pouch attached on the top of the container to the securable die-stamped metal and/or plastic sealing lead securing the shipping/holding container.

Provided the identifier codes match, the seal may then be broken by an election official by cutting the lead, and the copy of the certified bill of lading and/or shipping manifest attached to the outside of the container should be confirmed to be identical to the copy that was placed inside of the container, thereby proving that the contents were not tampered with during shipment, whereupon the ballots may be counted with assurance that election integrity has been maintained.

The recipient may then sign the certified bill of lading and/or shipping manifest, which may be used to satisfy any security concerns.

Example 2 – Secure transport and storage of valuable medical device parts, pharmaceutical materials

An embodiment of the present invention may be used to prevent unauthorized access to or theft of medical device parts such as MRI Coil and/or pharmaceutical drugs during storage or transit.

MRI coils are costly to ship and require a well-padded, secure and electrostatic container, for this very reason these expensive parts are also easily stolen.  This shipping arrangement can be easily configured to accommodate the radiological repair industry.

Drugs, especially addictive pharmaceuticals are subject to strict controls, and susceptible to theft or abuse. Described herein are containers that may serve to minimize the theft of these products while in storage in the pharmacy, or as these products are in transit from a central location to an intended user.  In such a use, a container may be formed from a blank according to any of the various embodiments contemplated herein. The pharmacy or dispensing agency may then place the medical or pharmaceutical products within the container along with any protective materials required, such as packing materials, or insulation or cooling blocks for temperature sensitive materials. The container may then be secured in a closed configuration to be secured with a lead, according the teachings herein. As discussed previously, the lead may be any suitable lead, such as a die-stamped metal lead, or alternatively an embossed plastic lead, where the lead is marked with a unique identifying code, which may be a set of numbers and/or letters. The container may be secured by passing the lead through the holes in the security strip within the container, to assure security of the container during transport or storage.

In order to ensure the accuracy of the contents within the container, the unique set of numbers and/or letters of the lead may be recorded, a copy of the list of contents, such as packing list or manifest, may be placed inside the container, prior to closure and securement of the lid. A second copy of the contents may be left with the pharmacy or dispensing agency. Optionally, a third copy of the listing of contents may be associated with the box, such as by being attached to the top of the box, similar to a plastic shipping label envelope applied to the container exterior surface. With the box sealed, it may be desirous to not have the contents readily discernible, but instead the code may be prominently displayed on the box, such that the sought-after container may be readily identified, without the contents being explicitly detailed for any potential viewer.

When the container is accessed from storage, or upon arrival at its intended destination, inspection may be performed to ensure there is no damage to the container and the lead, to confirm the seal is still intact and unbroken. The identifier code referenced on the contents list, either associated with the box as a label, or within the pharmacy records, may be confirmed to match that of the die-stamped or embossed security lead, to ensure that the contents have remained free from unauthorized access.

Provided the identifier codes match, the seal may then be broken and the copy of the content list placed inside the box may then be confirmed to be identical to one of the other copies of the list, thereby proving that the contents were not tampered with during storage or transit, and the integrity of the box contents may be assured.

Example 3 – Secure storage and shipment of electronic and computer parts

An embodiment of the present invention may be used to protect and prevent unauthorized access to or theft of electronic products, or computer parts during storage or transit. Electronic equipment, especially computer parts are often valuable, and are frequently the subject of theft, which may difficult to determine where parts are fraudulently replaced with substandard or counterfeit components during transit or while in storage. Furthermore, such products are highly susceptible to breakage or other damage from physical impact, as well as static discharge where such high voltage current may negatively affect the function of the electronics. Described herein are containers that may serve to minimize the theft or damage to electronic goods while in storage, or as these products are shipped to customers. In such a use, a container may be formed from a blank according to any of the various embodiments contemplated herein. The electronic supplier may then place the computer parts or other electronic components within the container, along with any protective materials required, such as anti-static shielding and impact absorbing packing materials for shipping in commerce, as are known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, where a business looks to store electronic components, to be accessible for use by their IT department, the business may wish to ensure that the products are safely stored, and not accessed by unauthorized personnel, to avoid the possibility of damage or fraudulent replacement with components of lower performance or quality, the user may similarly pack the components and protective packing materials within the container for storage. The container may then be secured in a closed configuration with a lead, according the teachings herein. As discussed previously, the lead may be any suitable lead, such as a die-stamped metal lead, or alternatively an embossed plastic lead, where the lead is marked with a unique identifying code, which may be a set of numbers and/or letters. The container may be secured by passing the lead through the holes in the security strip within the container, to assure security of the container during transport or storage.

In order to ensure the accuracy of the contents within the container, the unique set of numbers and/or letters of the lead may be recorded, a copy of the list of contents, such as packing list or manifest, may be placed inside the container, prior to closure and securement of the lid. A second copy of the contents may be recorded, or filed with the IT department. Optionally, a third copy of the listing of contents may be associated with the box, such as by being attached to the top of the box, similar to a plastic shipping label envelope applied to the container exterior surface. With the container sealed, it may be desirous to not have the contents readily discernible, but instead the code may be prominently displayed on the container, such that the sought-after container may be readily identified, without the contents being explicitly detailed for any potential viewer.

When the container is accessed from storage, or upon arrival at its intended destination, inspection may be performed to ensure there is no damage to the container and the seal is still intact and unbroken. The identifier code referenced on the contents list, either associated with the box as a label, or within the IT department records, may be confirmed to match that of the die-stamped or embossed security lead, to ensure that the contents have remained free from unauthorized access.

Provided the identifier codes match, the seal may then be broken and the copy of the content list placed inside the box may then be confirmed to be identical to one of the other copies of the list, thereby proving that the contents were not tampered with during storage or transit, and the integrity of the box contents may be assured.

Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention.