NZ541176A - Shipping container sealing assembly apparatus and method using security wire and RFID tag - Google Patents

Abstract

A container sealing assembly (100) for impeding tampering of a shipping container (200) is disclosed. The shipping container (200) has a first door (202), lockable in a closed position by a first locking bar (208B), and a second door (204), lockable in a closed position by a second locking bar (208C). The container sealing assembly comprises: (a) a housing; (b) an RFID tag assembly at least partially disposed within the housing; (c) an electrically conductive element (114) adapted to be locked to the housing, where the electrically conductive element (114) is dimensioned to encircle simultaneously the first and second locking bars (208B, 208C); and (d) wherein the RFID tag assembly is adapted to detect conductivity of the electrically conductive element (114) and transmit a code remotely of the container sealing assembly indicating tampering if a break in conductivity is detected.

Description

Patents Form # 5 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 2 1 SEP 2006 RECEIVED NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 AFTER PROVISIONAL # DATED : TITLE : COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 541176 08 July 2005 CONTAINER SEALING ASSEMBLY APPARATUS AND METHOD We, ISIS SECURE NEW ZEALAND LIMITED Address: Unit Al, 43A Linwood Avenue, Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand Nationality: A New Zealand company do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 191019NZA_Cap_20060920_1323_TDT.doc FEE CODE 1050 CONTAINER SEALING ASSEMBLY APPARATUS AND METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to a container sealing assembly for impeding tampering of a shipping container, and a method of using a container sealing assembly to impede tampering of a shipping container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With threats from terrorism and biosecurity, authorities around the world are requiring increasingly higher levels of verification that a shipping container has not been tampered with, i.e. opened. One previously developed solution to this problem has been to provide a 15 physical barrier via a mechanical seal to impede the opening of the doors of the shipping container, such as by passing a steel cable around the locking bars of container and fastening the ends of the steel cable together with an alloy block. This mechanical seal requires a very high level of visual inspection to determine if the seal has been broken and then subsequently rejoined. Thus, the introduction of a terrorist threat cannot be easily detected if the 20 mechanical system is cut and simply rejoined, or replaced with a new mechanical seal.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a new container sealing assembly and method which is able to automatically detect and report the cutting of the originally installed mechanical seal to provide a higher level of security to terrorist threats and also, to impede thefts from the 25 shipping container.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a shipping container sealing apparatus and method 30 that ameliorates some of the disadvantages and limitations of the known art or at least which provides the public with a useful choice. 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of a container sealing assembly formed in accordance with the present invention for impeding tampering of a shipping container is disclosed. The container sealing 5 assembly is adapted to work with a shipping container having a first door lockable in a closed position by a first locking bar and a second door lockable in a closed position by a second locking bar. The container sealing assembly includes a housing and an RFID tag assembly at least partially disposed in the housing. The container sealing assembly further includes an electrically conductive element adapted to be locked to the housing, the 10 electrically conductive element dimensioned to encircle simultaneously the first and second locking bars. The RFID tag assembly is adapted to detect conductivity of the electrically conductive element and transmit a code remotely of the container sealing assembly indicating tampering if a break in conductivity is detected.

The electrically conductive element may be made of a stranded wire having a plurality of individual strands, wherein not all of the individual strands are monitored for the break in continuity such that at least one of the individual strands is not monitored for the break in conductivity and at least one of the individual strands is monitored for the break in conductivity. The non-monitored individual strand may be an uninsulated strand, and the 20 monitored individual strand may be insulated with insulation. The insulation may be substantially translucent as to appear similar in appearance to the uninsulated strand.

The RFID tag assembly may indicate tampering by reversing a sequence of at least two characters of a stored code if the break in conductivity is detected and may transmit the stored code with the reversed sequence of characters remotely of the container sealing 25 assembly to indicate tampering. Alternately, the RFID tag assembly may insert a character "T" or specific character into a stored code if the break in conductivity is detected and transmits the stored code with the character "T" or other specific character to indicate tampering.

The container sealing assembly may also include a bolt seal coupled to the housing, the bolt 30 seal adapted to lock a handle used in actuating the first locking bar between a closed position and an open position. The bolt seal may be coupled to one end of the electrically conductive 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc element. The bolt seal and the electrically conductive element may each have a tensile strength exceeding 1000 kg-f.

The container sealing assembly may include a ratchet locking assembly attached to the housing, the ratchet locking assembly adapted to receive one end of the electrically 5 conductive element. The ratchet locking assembly may be adapted to permit the electrically conductive element to pass in a locking direction through the ratchet locking assembly while impeding movement of the electrically conductive element in a release direction opposite the locking direction through the ratchet locking assembly.

The electrically conductive element may be a flexible cable having a length exceeding 100 10 cm and a tensile strength exceeding 230 kg-f. The housing may be comprised of at least a first portion and a second portion joined to define a hollow interior. The first portion may be non-removably attached to the second portion. The first portion may include a first identification indicia and the second portion may include a matching second identification indicia such that replacement of the first or second portion is determinable by confirming if 15 the first identification indicia disposed on the first portion matches the second identification indicia disposed on the second portion.

An alternate embodiment of a container sealing assembly formed in accordance with the present invention is also disclosed. The container sealing assembly is adapted to be used for sealing a shipping container having two doors disposed at one end with a locking bar 20 associated with each door for locking their respective door in a closed position. The container sealing assembly includes a main body and a mechanical seal for physically impeding opening of the two doors. The mechanical seal includes a multi-strand wire having a tensile strength exceeding 230 kg-f and a length exceeding 100 cm permitting the multi-strand wire to encircle both locking bars simultaneously. The multi-strand wire is adapted to 25 be locked to the main body. The container sealing assembly also includes an RFID system attached to the main body, the RFID system operable to interrogate the multi-strand wire to detect continuity along at least a portion of the length of multi-strand wire. The RFID system is adapted to transmit remotely of the main body a tamper signal indicating that the container sealing assembly has been tampered with if no continuity is detected during 30 interrogation. 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc The multi-strand wire may include at least a first strand and a second strand, wherein the RFID system is operable to interrogate the first strand but not the second strand to detect continuity. The first strand may include an insulation layer electrically insulating the first strand from the second strand. The insulation layer may be translucent and heat resistant to a 5 temperature exceeding at least 175 degrees Celsius. The container sealing assembly may include a locking system for removably locking at least one end of the multi-strand wire to the main body.

The container sealing assembly may include an RFID system adapted to receive and store user programmed information from a first computer system located remotely of the main 10 body. The RFID system may be adapted to transmit the stored user programmed information at a later time to a second computer system located remotely of the main body. The user programmed information may include a serial number uniquely identifying the sealing system. The user programmed information may include an interdiction agency's private alert. The RFID system may be adapted to monitor the container sealing assembly for 15 occurrence of a violation of a predetermined set of business rules in addition to tampering of the container sealing assembly and send an alert signal remotely of the main body indicating the occurrence of the violation of the predetermined set of business rules.

The container sealing assembly may include a locking bolt adapted to secure a handle used in actuating at least one of the two doors of the shipping container between closed and open 20 positions in a locked position. The locking bolt may be coupled to the main body by a separate cable or by the multi-strand wire, the locking bolt having a tensile strength exceeding 230 kg-f. The locking bolt and the multi-strand wire may each have a tensile strength exceeding 1000 kg-f.

A method of using a container sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention for 25 sealing a shipping container having doors which may be locked by a pair of locking bars actuated by a handle is disclosed. The method includes placing an electrically conductive element about the pair of locking bars to impede each of the doors from being fully opened, monitoring the electrically conductive element for a break in continuity with a RFID tag assembly, and modifying a code stored by the RFID tag assembly when a break in continuity 30 of the electrically conductive element is detected by the RFID tag assembly. The electrically conductive element may comprise a wire made up of a plurality of strands. The method may 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc further comprise monitoring one of the strands for continuity but not monitoring one of the other strands of the wire for continuity. The method may also include locking a handle used to unlock and lock the doors by placing a bolt seal in a sealed position that impedes movement of the handle. The bolt seal may be coupled to the electrically conductive 5 element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the 10 accompanying drawings: is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container sealing assembly formed in accordance with the present invention sealing a pair of doors of a shipping container in a closed position; is an perspective view of the container sealing assembly shown in Figure 1, the container sealing assembly shown in a partially exploded condition; and is a cross-sectional view through Section 3-3 of a multi-strand locking wire shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The following description will describe the invention in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, namely a container sealing assembly apparatus and method. The invention is in no way limited to these preferred embodiments as they are purely to exemplify the 25 invention only and possible variations and modifications would be readily apparent without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a container sealing assembly 100 formed in accordance with this invention attached to a shipping container 200. The shipping container 200 30 depicted is a sea freight shipping container having a first door 202 and a second door 204 disposed at one end of the shipping container 200. Each door may be reciprocated between a closed position as shown in Figure 1 and an open position (not shown) about a hinge Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc assembly 206. Each door includes a pair of locking bars 208A and 208B, and 208C and 208D. Each locking bar 208 is rotatable between a locked position as shown in Figure 1 in which the doors 202 and 204 are secured in the closed position to an unlocked position (not shown) in which the doors can be transitioned to the open position by actuation of a locking 5 handle 210. The locking handles 210 may be secured in the locked position by placing a lock through aligned apertures in a hasp 212 and the handle 210.

Generally described, the illustrated embodiment of the container sealing assembly 100 is adapted to provide a physical barrier to the opening of the doors 202 and 204 of the 10 container 200 and also monitor the integrity of the physical barrier provided by the container sealing assembly 100 to indicate when the physical barrier has been tampered with, while also providing information regarding the shipping container, such as an identification code identifying the container, information on the goods contained in the container, etc.

In light of the above general description of the container sealing assembly 100, this detailed description will now focus in more detail upon the structure of the container sealing assembly 100. Turning to Figure 2, the container sealing assembly 100 includes a housing assembly 102. The housing assembly 102 may include a first portion 104 removably or permanently coupled to a second portion 106. With the first and second portions 104 and 20 106 are mated to one another, a hollow interior cavity 110 is defined by the inner surfaces of the first and second portions 104 and 106. Preferably, the first and second portions 104 and 106 are permanently attached to one another, such as through welding or other means, such that separation of the portions 104 and 106 results in damage that is easily recognizable upon inspection.

The housing assembly 102 may be made of any semi-rigid or rigid material, a few suitable examples being injection moulded plastic, high-impact ABS, and metal. Preferably, identification indicia 108 are disposed on each portion 104 and 106 of the housing assembly 102 such that removal and replacement of one or both of the portions 104 and 106 30 may be determined by review of the identification indicia 108. Preferably, the identification indicia are non-removably or permanently attached to the pieces of the housing assembly 102, such as by etching the identification indicia 108 into the housing assembly 102. Preferably, the identification indicia 108 comprise a unique string of 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc numbers, characters, or combination thereof. Preferably, the identification indicia 108 are disposed on each piece of the housing assembly 102 such that removal and replacement of one piece of the housing assembly 102 can be readily identified. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicia 108 are illustrated as being located on a backside of the housing 5 assembly 102, however it is noted that the indicia 108 may be located at any suitable location, such as upon a front side of the housing assembly 102 to permit an inspector to more easily read the indicia 108.

Disposed at least partially within the hollow cavity 110 of the housing assembly 102 is a 10 locking assembly 112. The locking assembly 112 may include a locking wire 114 and a locking wire securing assembly 116. Turning to Figure 1, the locking wire 114 is preferably adapted to encircle simultaneously at least one of the locking bars 208B on the first door 202 and one of the locking bars 208C on the second door 204 such that the locking wire 114 impedes the opening of the doors 202 and 204 individually or simultaneously. Returning to 15 Figure 2, in one embodiment, the locking wire 114 is of a length equal to or exceeding 80 cm, however the locking wire 114 may be of even greater lengths such as lengths equal to or greater than about 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, and 200 cm. Preferably the locking wire 114 has a breaking tensile strength equal to or exceeding 150 kg-f, however the locking wire 114 may be of even greater tensile strengths such as tensile strengths equal to or exceeding about 20 200, 230, 250, 300,400, 500, 600, 700, 800, or 1000 kg-f. By encircling both locking bars 208B and 208C, even if the locking handle is compromised, such as by drilling out the fasteners holding the hasp to the container or by cutting the locking bolt, the doors still cannot be opened since the locking wire 114 tightly encircles both locking bars preventing their separation from one another as would be required if the doors were opened. Thus, by 25 encircling both locking bars, the illustrated embodiment provides a significant improvement over prior art devices which provided mechanical barriers that solely prevented the actuation of the locking handles of the container, or which only prevented the opening of one door.

Referring to Figure 3, preferably the locking wire 114 is made up of a plurality of individual 30 strands 118A-G wound about one another. Preferably, the locking wire 114 is a fraying wire adapted to instantly fray when cut, such as with bolt cutters, to provide a visual indication of tampering. The locking wire 114 preferably includes at least one individual strand 118A that includes an insulation layer 120 and at least one non-insulated strand 118B-G. In the 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc illustrated embodiment, a fraying locking wire 114 is illustrated made up of seven (7) individual strands 118A-G wound around each other, with six (6) of the individual strands 118B-G being non-insulated (i.e. bare) and one being insulated 118A. Preferably, the insulation layer 120 is of a translucent or clear material such that the appearance of the 5 insulated strand 118 A is substantially similar or even identical to the non-insulated strands 118A-G.

Preferably, the insulation layer 120 is heat resistant, such that brief (such as less than five minutes) exposure of the locking wire to temperatures below or equal to a predetermined 10 temperature do not cause a catastrophic failure in the insulation layer 120. A few suitable examples of suitable predetermined temperatures include 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 degrees Celsius. Preferably the locking wire 114 has a diameter equalling or exceeding a predetermined diameter, a few suitable examples being 2 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm.

Preferably, at least one of the strands 118 is made of an electrically conductive material, and 15 more preferably, all of the strands 118 are made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal, for instance silver plated copper wire rated to a conductive voltage of 600 volts. Although in the illustrated embodiment, a locking wire 114 is illustrated and described which is flexible, it is noted that any electrical conductive element may be used, including flexible ones as illustrated and described and also rigid ones, one suitable example being a rigid 20 electrically conductive element permanently formed in a predefined shape, such as a U-shape member adapted to fit around two or more locking bars.

Preferably, one or more of the strands 118A are monitored for conductivity while the remaining strands 118B-G are not. This makes it difficult for a person to circumvent the 25 detection of tampering, such as by using a conductive wire to bypass around an area of the locking wire 114 to be cut and then cutting the locking wire 114. To successfully bypass the area to be cut, the person must first identify which of the strands 118A-G of the locking wire 114 are being monitored for conductivity, which is made difficult since each of the strands 118 look identical due to the use of the translucent insulation 120 used on the 30 strand 118A or strands which are monitored for conductivity, remove the insulation 120, attached a bypass wire, and make the cut. Further, since the insulation 120 is heat resistant, it cannot be easily melted off, increasing even further the difficulty of bypassing the cut by applying heat to the locking wire 114 to remove all of the insulation prior to attaching the 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc bypass wire and making the cut. Also, since the locking wire used is a fraying wire that automatically frays upon being cut, the cut, even if successfully circumvented, would be readily apparent upon visual inspection as evidenced by the fraying of the locking wire.

Referring to Figure 2, the locking wire 114 may be coupled to the housing via the locking wire securing assembly 116. The locking wire securing assembly 116 may be any device able to secure the locking wire 114 to the housing assembly 102. The securing assembly 116 preferably permanently attaches the locking wire 114 to the housing assembly 116 such that once coupled to the housing assembly 102, the locking wire 114 may only be removed by 10 destruction of at least some portion of the container sealing assembly 100.

Alternately, a lock (not shown) may be utilized which removably locks the locking wire 114 to the housing assembly 102, the lock requiring a key or code to release the locking wire 114 from the housing assembly 102. Preferably, the securing assembly 116 is adapted to hold the 15 locking wire 114 to the housing assembly 102 despite large tensile loads being applied to the locking wire 114, such as loads equalling or exceeding the tensile strengths of the locking wire 114.

In the illustrated embodiment, the securing assembly 116 includes a crimp device 122 and a 20 ratchet lock 124. The crimp device 122 is adapted to be crimped upon the locking wire 114 to impede removal of one end or portion of the locking wire 114 from the housing assembly 102. The crimp device 122 is crimped upon the locking wire 114 and placed in the hollow cavity 110 prior to the first and second portions 104 and 106 being permanently joined. The crimp device 122 is disposed within a correspondingly shaped pocket 128 in the 25 housing assembly 102 which prevents movement of the crimp device 122 within the housing assembly 102. Although a crimp device 122 is illustrated and described, it is noted that other devices adapted to secure the locking wire 114 within the housing assembly 102 may alternately be used.

The ratchet lock 124 is adapted to receive the locking wire 114 in a first sealing direction resulting in a shortening of a length of a loop 126 of the locking wire 114 extending outward from the housing assembly 102 while impeding any movement of the locking wire 114 in a second release direction opposite the first direction. The ratchet lock 124 is disposed within 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc a correspondingly shaped pocket 130 in the housing assembly 102 which prevents movement of the ratchet lock 124 within the housing assembly 102. Although a ratchet lock 124 is illustrated and described, it is noted that other devices adapted to receive an end of the locking wire 114 and hold same within the housing assembly 102 may alternately be used.

The physical barrier used to impede the unauthorized opening of the doors may be further supplemented by including a bolt seal assembly 132. The bolt seal assembly 132 is adapted to lock at least one of the handles of the container in a closed position. Preferably the bolt seal assembly 132 includes a locking bolt 134 adapted to receive a locking head 136. The 10 locking bolt 134 is adapted to be received by a pair of apertures of a door hasp 212 aligned with an aperture in the locking handle 210 (See Figure 1). The locking head 136 is adapted to be attached to the locking bolt 134 such that the locking bolt 134 is permanently installed and cannot be removed without destruction. Alternately, the locking head 136 may be released from the locking bolt 134 via a key or code to permit removal of the locking 15 bolt 134 from the door hasp and locking handle. Preferably, the locking bolt 134 and locking head 136 each include identification indicia 108C and 108D as described above for the housing assembly 102 to aid in identifying tampering of the container sealing assembly 100. Preferably, the identification indicia used on the locking bolt 134 and the locking head 136 match those disposed on the housing assembly 102.

Preferably, the locking head 136 includes a quick to connect style connection assembly wherein insertion of the locking head 136 upon a distal end of the locking bolt 134 results in the locking head 136 being permanently attached to the locking bolt 134. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking bolt 134 includes a channel 138 that receives a spring 25 loaded locking member (not shown) that catches in the channel 138 once the locking head 136 is inserted upon the locking bolt 134 thereby permanently securing the locking head 136 to the locking bolt 134.

Preferably, the bolt seal assembly 132 has a breaking tensile strength equal to or exceeding 30 150 kg-f, however the bolt seal assembly 132 may be of even greater tensile strengths such as tensile strengths equal to or exceeding about 200, 230, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, or 1000 kg-f. The locking bolt 134 preferably has a diameter of between about 6 mm and 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc 12 mm, and most preferably has a diameter of about 9 mm. Preferably the locking bolt 134 is made of a metal, such as steel, encased in a non-metal material, such as plastic or ABS.

Preferably, the bolt seal assembly 132 is attached to the housing assembly 102. In the 5 illustrated embodiment, the bolt seal assembly 132 is attached to the housing assembly 102 by coupling, preferably permanently, one end of the locking wire 114 to the locking bolt 134. Preferably, the locking head 136 comes removably attached to the locking bolt 134, wherein the locking head 136 can be removed from the locking bolt 134 and lockingly attached to the locking bolt 134 when installed on the container. In one embodiment, the locking head 136 10 is removably attached to the locking bolt 134 by a thin strip of material (not shown) extending between the two components, the thin strip of material adapted to be flexed to break and severe the connection between the two components. The thin strip of material is preferably integrally formed with the non-metallic casing that at least partially covers the locking bolt 134 and the locking head 136.

Disposed at least partially, and preferably entirely, within the hollow cavity 110 of the housing assembly 102 is a RFID tag assembly 140. The RFID tag assembly 140 may include an active or passive RFID chip 142 coupled to an antenna 144. The RFID chip 142 may operate on any suitable frequency or combination of frequencies, a few suitable 20 examples being 2.45 GHz microwave, 860-960 MHz, and 125 kHz/6.8 MHz dual frequency frequency ranges. The RFID chip 142 may be a one-time programmable, a write-once read many, or multiple read/write style RFID chip 142. If the RFID chip 142 is a passive chip, the chip may be powered up by an RF beam transmitted by the reader, which is received by the tag's antenna 144, and rectified to generate a supply voltage for the chip. A pre-25 programmed ID code (serial number) or other data is transmitted back to the reader in TTO mode by varying the amount of energy that is reflected back to the reader. The method of tag transmission is called "back-scatter" in the field. Data can be written to the tag in 64-bit block by means of reader commands to the chip after the tag's presence has been detected. The chip can be configured to transmit only its 64-bit unique ID, spontaneously after power 30 up, or its unique ID and one or more data pages.

In one embodiment, the 64-bit unique ID is used to indicate tampering to one receiving the code by the character "T" being inserted into the 64-bit unique ID (code) stored in the RFID 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc chip and then transmitting that modified code remotely of the housing assembly 102 to indicate the tampering. In another embodiment, the 64-bit unique ID is modified by selectively altering the sequence of two or more of the alphanumeric characters making up the 64-bit unique ID stored in the RFID chip and sending this modified code remotely of the 5 housing assembly 102. If the RFID chip is an active chip, the modified code may be sent the instance tampering occurs. If the RFID chip is a passive chip, the chip interrogates the electrically conductive element when pinged by a reader for conductivity, and if no conductivity is detected, a modified 64-bit unique ID code is returned indicating tampering. Although tampering is preferably indicated by modifying the unique ID associated with the 10 RFID chip and thus the container it is attached to, tampering may also be indicated by a note placed in the additional information pages that may be transmitted along with the unique ID.

The additional information pages that may be transmitted along with the unique ID may contain a wealth of information. In one embodiment, the additional information pages 15 container user programmed information that includes an interdiction agency's private alert. For instance, a customs office may indicate in the additional information pages that the contents of the container are suspicious and should be searched upon arrival.

The RFID system may be adapted to monitor the container sealing assembly for occurrence of a violation of a predetermined set of business rules in addition to tampering of the 20 container sealing assembly and send an alert signal remotely of the main body indicating the occurrence of the violation of the predetermined set of business rules. For instance, the RFID system may be adapted to monitor movement of the container, and if the container is not moved in a predetermined amount of time, an alert is sent remotely of the housing assembly indicating a violation of this predetermined set of business rules. Although the 25 illustrated and described RFID System is an IPX Protocol type system, it is noted that any type of RFID or other type of identification systems may be used, a few suitable examples being RFID systems using EPC chip technology, other systems using non-EPC chip technology, and other systems hereto known or to be developed that use radio wave wireless communication links to obtain a product identifying code.

In light of the above description of the structure of the container sealing assembly 100, the operation of the container sealing assembly 100 will now be described. Referring to 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc Figures 1 and 2, the container sealing assembly 100 is coupled to the container 200 by taking the free end of the locking wire 114 and routing the locking wire 114 around both of the locking bars208B and 208C and securing the free end of the locking wire 114 to the housing 102 via the ratchet lock 124. The bolt seal assembly 132 is then installed to lock at 5 least one of the locking handles 210 into a closed position preventing one of the locking bars 208B from being rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position. The RFID assembly then monitors one or more of the strands of the locking wire 114 for continuity, either on a periodic basis or continuously if the RFID assembly includes an active RFID chip, or when pinged, if a passive RFID chip is used. If no continuity is detected in the 10 interrogated strand or strands of the locking wire 114, then the RFID assembly indicates that the container seal assembly 100 has been tampered with, such as by inserting a "T" or other character into the identifying serial number for the container or reversing two or more of the characters of the identifying serial number. The modified code is then sent remotely of the container seal assembly 100 either when the RFID assembly is pinged if a passive RFID chip 15 is used or instantly if an active chip is used that is able to continuously monitor continuity of the locking wire 114.

At any time, but most typically upon arrival at a destination, the container sealing assembly 100 may be visually inspected to determine if tampering occurs. The visual inspection typically includes examining the locking wire 114 for cuts, which are easily 20 detected when a fraying locking wire 114 is used, and determining if any part of the container sealing assembly 100 has been removed, which is readily detected by determining if the identification indicia 108 match on all components of the container sealing assembly 100.

ADVANTAGES A container sealing assembly formed in accordance with the present invention may exhibit one or more of the following advantages: a) increased reliability; b) provides a physical barrier to opening of both doors even if a lock locking the door actuating handle is circumvented; 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc c) inexpensive to manufacture; d) difficult to cut the electrically conductive element without the tampering being detected; e) automatically detects tampering of the container sealing assembly and reports same; 5 and f) provides a single assembly that provides both a physical barrier to container entry, while also providing container identification information, tampering information, and/or other useful information.

VARIATIONS Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described. 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc

Claims (28)

1. A container sealing assembly for impeding tampering of a shipping container, the shipping container having a first door lockable in a closed position by a first locking bar and a second door lockable in a closed position by a second locking bar, the container sealing assembly comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an RFID tag assembly at least partially disposed in the housing; (c) an electrically conductive element adapted to be locked to the housing, the electrically conductive element dimensioned to encircle simultaneously the first and second locking bars; and (d) wherein the RFID tag assembly is adapted to detect conductivity of the electrically conductive element and transmit a code remotely of the container sealing assembly indicating tampering if a break in conductivity is detected.

2. The container sealing assembly of Claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element comprises a stranded wire having a plurality of individual strands, wherein not all of the individual strands are monitored for the break in continuity such that at least one of the individual strands is not monitored for the break in conductivity and at least one of the individual strands is monitored for the break in conductivity.

3. The container sealing assembly of Claim 2, wherein the non-monitored individual strand is an uninsulated strand, and wherein the monitored individual strand is insulated with insulation.

4. The container sealing assembly of claim 3, wherein the insulation is substantially translucent such that the strand insulated with translucent insulation appears similar to the uninsulated strand.

5. The container sealing assembly of Claim 1, wherein the RFID tag assembly is adapted to reverse a sequence of at least two characters of a stored code if the break in conductivity is detected and transmit the stored code with the reversed isequence of characters to indicate tampering. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ~ 1 OCT 2007 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc

6. The container sealing assembly of Claim 1, wherein the RFID tag assembly inserts a character "T" into a stored code if the break in conductivity is detected and transmits the stored code with the character "T" to indicate tampering.

7. The container sealing assembly of Claim 1, further including a bolt seal coupled to the housing, the bolt seal adapted to lock a handle used in actuating the first locking bar between a closed position and an open position.

8. The container sealing assembly of Claim 7, wherein the bolt seal is coupled to one end of the electrically conductive element.

9. The container sealing assembly of Claim 7, wherein the bolt seal and the electrically conductive element each have a tensile strength exceeding 1000 kg-f.

10. The container sealing assembly of Claim 1, further including a ratchet locking assembly attached to the housing, the ratchet locking assembly adapted to receive one end of the electrically conductive element and permit the electrically conductive element to pass in a locking direction through the ratchet locking assembly while impeding movement of the electrically conductive element in a release direction opposite the locking direction through the ratchet locking assembly.

11. The container sealing assembly of Claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive element is a flexible cable having a length exceeding 100 cm and a tensile strength exceeding 230 kg-f.

12. The container sealing assembly of Claim 1, wherein the housing is comprised of at least a first portion and a second portion joined to define a hollow interior, wherein the first portion is non-removably attached to the second portion, and wherein the first portion includes a first identification indicia and the second portion includes a matching second identification indicia such that replacement of the first or second portion is determinable by confirming if the first identification indicia disposed on the first portion matches the second identification indicia disposed on the second portion. 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc -18-

13. A container sealing assembly for sealing a shipping container having two doors disposed at one end with a locking bar associated with each door for locking their respective door in a closed position, the container sealing assembly comprising: (a) a main body; 5 (b) a mechanical seal for physically impeding opening of the two doors, the mechanical seal including a multi-strand wire having a tensile strength exceeding 230 kg-f and a length exceeding 100 cm permitting the multi-strand wire to encircle both locking bars simultaneously, the multi-strand wire adapted to be locked to the main body; and 10 (c) an RFID system attached to the main body, the RFID system operable to interrogate the multi-strand wire to detect continuity along at least a portion of the length of multi-strand wire, and wherein the RFID system is adapted to transmit remotely of the main body a tamper signal indicating that the container sealing assembly has been tampered with if no 15 continuity is detected during interrogation.

14. The container sealing assembly of Claim 13, wherein the multi-strand wire includes at least a first strand and a second strand, wherein the RFID system is operable to interrogate the first strand but not the second strand to detect continuity.

15. The container sealing assembly of Claim 14, wherein the first strand includes an 20 insulation layer electrically insulating the first strand from the second strand.

16. The container sealing assembly of Claim 15, wherein the insulation layer is translucent and heat resistant to a temperature exceeding at least 175 degrees Celsius.

17. The container sealing assembly of Claim 16, further including a locking system for removably locking at least one end of the multi-strand wire to the main body. 25

18. The container sealing assembly of Claim 17, wherein the RFID system is adapted to receive and store user programmed information from a first computer system located remotely of the main body and wherein the RFID system is adapted to transmit the 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc -19- stored user programmed information at a later time to a second computer system located remotely of the main body.

19. The container sealing assembly of Claim 18, wherein the user programmed information includes a serial number uniquely identifying the container sealing 5 system.

20. The container sealing assembly of Claim 18, wherein the user programmed information includes an interdiction agency's private alert.

21. The container sealing assembly of Claim 13, wherein the RFID system is adapted to monitor the container sealing assembly for occurrence of a violation of a 10 predetermined set of business rules in addition to tampering of the container sealing assembly and send an alert signal remotely of the main body indicating the occurrence of the violation of the predetermined set of business rules.

22. The container sealing assembly of Claim 13, further including a locking bolt adapted to secure a handle used in actuating at least one of the two doors of the shipping 15 container between closed and open positions in a locked position, the locking bolt coupled to the main body by a flexible member, the locking bolt having a tensile strength exceeding 230 kg-f.

23. The container sealing assembly of Claim 22, wherein the locking bolt and the multi-strand wire each have a tensile strength exceeding 1000 kg-f. 20

24. A method of using a container sealing assembly to seal a shipping container having doors which may be locked by a pair of locking bars actuated by a handle, the method comprising: (a) placing an electrically conductive element about the pair of locking bars to impede each of the doors from being fully opened; 25 (b) monitoring the electrically conductive element for a break in continuity with a RFID tag assembly; and (c) modifying a code stored by the RFID tag assembly when a break in continuity of the electrically conductive element is detected by the RFID tag assembly. 191019NZA CAP 20060829 BDK.doc -20-

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the electrically conductive element comprises a wire made up of a plurality of strands, the method further comprising monitoring at least one of the strands for continuity but not monitoring the remaining strands of the wire for continuity. 5

26. The method of Claim 24, further comprising locking a handle used to unlock and lock the doors by placing a bolt seal in a locking position that impedes movement of the handle, the bolt seal coupled to the electrically conductive element.

27. A container sealing assembly as herein illustrated and described.

28. A method of using a container sealing assembly as herein illustrated and described. 10 PIPERS Attorneys for the Applicant 15 ISIS SECURE NEW ZEALAND LIMITED