U.S. patent application number 12/064625 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for material containment system.
Invention is credited to Frank Dimeo, James V. McManus, Jerrold David Sameth.
Application Number | 20080245676 12/064625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37772347 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080245676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McManus; James V. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2008 |
Material Containment System
Abstract
Containment packages (10) having utility for transport of
hazardous gases and security systems for controlling access to
packages, e.g., hazardous gas containment packages (20). In a
specific implementation, a containment package includes an overpack
(11) for improving the safety and security of gas-containment
vessels during transportation, e.g., air shipment, in which the
overpack is pressurized by a protective gas at pressure in excess
of the pressure in the gas-containment vessels, and a global
positioning system (GPS) coordinated programmable lock and key
system (30) is integrated with the containment package for
controlled access to the gas-containment vessels only when the GPS
component indicates that the containment package is at a specific
geographic location.
Inventors: |
McManus; James V.; (Bethel,
CT) ; Sameth; Jerrold David; (Clifton, NJ) ;
Dimeo; Frank; (Falls Church, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY / TECHNOLOGY LAW
PO BOX 14329
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK
NC
27709
US
|
Family ID: |
37772347 |
Appl. No.: |
12/064625 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
August 22, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2006/032977 |
371 Date: |
May 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60710216 |
Aug 22, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/.7 ; 141/51;
206/1.5; 206/459.5; 220/214; 220/320; 220/592.2; 340/572.9;
340/588 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/10 20130101;
B65D 7/045 20130101; B65D 85/84 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/7 ;
220/592.2; 220/214; 220/320; 206/1.5; 340/572.9; 141/51; 340/588;
206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/00 20060101
B65B003/00 |
Claims
1.-70. (canceled)
71. A container package useful for transport of fluid storage and
dispensing vessel(s), comprising an overpack defining an interior
volume adapted for holding at least one fluid storage and
dispensing vessel in an environment of containment gas in the
interior volume of the overpack at pressure that is above pressure
of fluid contained in the at least one fluid storage and dispensing
vessel, wherein the overpack includes at least one of: (i) an
anti-tamper system adapted to restrict access to the at least one
fluid storage and dispensing vessel therein; (ii) a thermal
management system for maintaining the at least one fluid storage
and dispensing vessel at temperature within a predetermined
temperature range; and (iii) a tracking system adapted for
communication with a communication system.
72. The container package of claim 71, including said anti-tamper
system in a configuration selected from the group consisting of:
(a) the anti-tamper system comprising a programmable
electromechanical lock and key system; (b) (a), and a GPS system
adapted to selectively actuate the programmable electromechanical
lock and key system; and (c) (a), (b), and an electronic key that
is operable to unlock the programmable electromechanical lock when
the GPS system indicates that the container package is at a
predetermined location or within predetermined geographic
coordinates.
73. The container package of claim 71, including a thermal
management system comprising a phase change gel pack arranged to
maintain temperature in said interior volume in a predetermined
range during variable environmental temperature conditions.
74. The container package of claim 71, wherein the overpack
includes a pressurizing port adapted for introduction of
pressurizing gas into the interior volume, to establish pressure
therein that is above pressure of fluid contained in the at least
one fluid storage and dispensing vessel, and a pressure monitor
adapted to monitor pressure in the interior volume.
75. The container package of claim 71, including at least one
feature selected from the group consisting of: (1) a positional
fixation structure in the interior volume, adapted to positionally
retain the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel in a
fixed position in the interior volume; (2) a pressure monitor; (3)
a pressure monitor comprising an analog pressure gauge; (4) a
pressure monitor comprising a pressure transducer; (5) a thermal
management device or structure in said overpack; (6) a thermal
controller adapted to maintain a predetermined temperature level of
fluid in said at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel; (7)
active heating and cooling componentry; (8) thermal insulation in
said interior volume; (9) dunnage in said interior volume; (10)
foam material in said interior volume defining at least one cavity
for retention of the at least one fluid storage and dispensing
vessel; (11) a time-temperature monitoring system adapted to
provide a record of temperature in the interior volume over a
predetermined period of time; (12) temperature control and
monitoring capability; (13) a leak detector adapted to monitor gas
leaks into or within the overpack; (14) a gas-specific detector;
(15) a port in said overpack, having a gas-specific sensor disposed
therein; (16) a gas-specific sensor providing a visual output
indicative of occurrence of leak; (17) an adsorbent material in
said interior volume, adapted to take up or immobilize leaking gas
therein; (18) a physical adsorbent in said interior volume; (19) a
chemisorbent in said interior volume; (20) a heater; (21) a cooler;
(22) a pressure relief device; (23) a shock absorber; (24) a shock
sensor; (25) a tracking device; (26) an RFID tracking device; (27)
a global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking device; (28)
scannable identification indicia; and (29) detectable
identification indicia.
76. The container package of claim 71, containing at least one
fluid storage and dispensing vessel.
77. The container package of claim 76, having at least one
characteristic selected from the group consisting of: (1)
subatmospheric pressure in at least one of said at least one fluid
storage and dispensing vessel; (2) containment gas pressure in said
interior volume above ambient pressure exterior to the container
package; (3) leak-tight sealing of the overpack against an exterior
environment thereof; (4) containment gas in said interior volume
comprising inert gas; (5) each of the at least one fluid storage
and dispensing vessel including a valve head comprising a valve
wheel that is protectively secured by a tensioned strap secured to
the valve wheel; (6) each of the at least one fluid storage and
dispensing vessel including a valve head that is protectively
secured by a valve cap; (7) each of the at least one fluid storage
and dispensing vessel including a valve head protectively secured
by shrinkwrapping thereof; (8) each of the at least one fluid
storage and dispensing vessel being wrapped in shrinkwrapping
material; (9) the enclosure being adapted to hold from 6 to 24
fluid storage and dispensing vessels; (10) each of the at least one
fluid storage and dispensing vessel having a fluid storage volume
in a range of from 0.4 L to 6.6 L; (11) the interior volume being
constructed to hold a number of fluid storage and dispensing
vessels, wherein said number is selected from the group consisting
of 6, 12 and 24.
78. The container package of claim 76, wherein the at least one
fluid storage and dispensing vessel contains a semiconductor
manufacturing fluid.
79. The container package of claim 76, wherein the at least one
fluid storage and dispensing vessel contains fluid selected from
the group consisting of boron trifluoride, arsine, phosphine,
silicon tetrafluoride, germanium tetrafluoride, arsenic
pentafluoride, phosphorus trifluoride, hydrogen selenide, diborane,
decaborane, and silane.
80. The container package of claim 76, wherein the at least one
fluid storage and dispensing vessel holds gas adsorbed on a carbon
adsorbent, at sub-atmospheric pressure.
81. A gas management method, comprising use of a container package
as claimed in claim 71, involving at least one activity selected
from the group consisting of: (1) introducing at least one fluid
storage and dispensing vessel into the interior volume of the
overpack; (2) transporting said container package containing at
least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel in the interior
volume of the overpack; (3) tracking said container package
containing at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel in the
interior volume of the overpack, during transport thereof; (4)
maintaining said overpack in a locked and tamper-resistant mode
during transport thereof; (5) remotely opening a previously locked
overpack of said container package at a predetermined location or
under predetermined conditions; (6) maintaining said overpack
interior volume containing at least one fluid storage and
dispensing vessel at temperature in a predetermined temperature
range, during storage or transport thereof; (7) utilizing said
container package in a supply chain.
82. The method of claim 81, wherein the at least one fluid storage
and dispensing vessel contains a semiconductor manufacturing
gas.
83. The method of claim 81, wherein the at least one fluid storage
and dispensing vessel contains a fluid selected from the group
consisting of boron trifluoride, arsine, phosphine, silicon
tetrafluoride, germanium tetrafluoride, arsenic pentafluoride,
phosphorus trifluoride, hydrogen selenide, diborane and
decaborane.
84. The method of claim 81, wherein the overpack comprises a
communication capability enabling trackability of the container
package.
85. A supply chain management system, comprising (a) a
communication system comprising at least one system selected from
the group consisting of (1) active RFID systems, (2) GPS
communication systems, (3) global digital communications networks
and (4) cellular telephony communication systems; and (b) a
container package adapted for transport of fluid storage and
dispensing vessel(s), comprising an overpack defining an interior
volume adapted for holding at least one fluid storage and
dispensing vessel in an environment of containment gas at pressure
that is above pressure of fluid contained in the at least one fluid
storage and dispensing vessel, wherein the container package is
adapted to communicate with said communication system.
86. The supply chain management system of claim 85, wherein the
system is adapted to track the location of the container
package.
87. The supply chain management system of claim 85, wherein the
overpack includes at least one of (a) an anti-tamper device adapted
to restrict access to the at least one fluid storage and dispensing
vessel therein, and (b) a thermal management capability, for
maintaining temperature of said at least one fluid storage and
dispensing vessel within a predetermined range.
88. The supply chain management system of claim 85, wherein the
system is adapted for integration with an inventory and warehouse
control system.
89. The supply chain management system of claim 85, wherein the
container package comprises an alerting capability for notification
via the communication system that the container package has been
compromised.
90. The supply chain management system of claim 85, wherein at
least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel is contained in said
container package, and contains a fluid.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to materials containment
packages for storing and/or transporting materials and also relates
to security systems for controlling access to and operation of
materials sources. More specifically, the invention relates to an
overpack for improving the safety and security of
materials-containment vessels during transportation, e.g., air
shipment, and a programmable lock and key system suitable for use
with such overpack or with other packages containing hazardous or
sensitive materials or information.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528 issued May 21, 1996 to Glenn M. Tom,
et al. describes an adsorbent-based fluid storage and delivery
system useful in the supply of gas for semiconductor manufacturing
operations, e.g., ion implantation. In such system, fluid is
sorptively retained on an adsorbent medium of suitable adsorptive
affinity for such fluid, in a fluid storage and dispensing vessel.
The adsorbent medium can for example include a particulate carbon
medium having nano-scale pores, in which the fluid is stored. In
use, fluid is desorbed from the adsorbent medium under dispensing
conditions. The fluid storage and dispensing vessel can for example
be a metal cylinder, and dispensing conditions can involve
thermally-assisted desorption of the fluid from the adsorbent
medium, pressure-differential-based desorption of the fluid from
the adsorbent medium, and/or concentration gradient-based
desorption of the fluid from the adsorbent medium (e.g., by passage
of a carrier gas through the vessel for contact with the adsorbent
medium having fluid adsorbed thereon, to entrain the desorbed fluid
in the carrier gas stream).
[0003] Adsorbent-based fluid storage and dispensing systems of the
type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528, U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,965,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,967 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,424 have been
commercialized by ATMI, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.) under the trademarks
SDS and SAGE. Such systems permit gas to be stored in an adsorbed
state at sub-atmospheric pressure for subsequent desorption and
dispensing, thereby substantially enhancing the safety of gas
storage as compared to conventional high-pressure gas containment
compressed gas cylinders.
[0004] Although the SDS and SAGE gas packages have been widely
commercialized in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, as a
proven safe alternative to use of compressed gas sources, the
commercial implementation of such sub-atmospheric pressure gas
packages has been impeded by shipment regulations that were
originally promulgated for conventional high-pressure gas
cylinders. The regulations reflect the significant hazards
attendant the rupture of or leakage from such high-pressure
cylinders when hazardous gases, e.g., arsine, phosphine, and boron
trifluoride, are involved.
[0005] For example, in the United States, the Code of Federal
Regulations in CFR 49 172.101 (8) prohibits cylinders containing
arsine, phosphine and boron trifluoride from being transported by
air. As a result, all SDS and SAGE gas cylinders, even though they
contain these gases at sub-atmospheric pressure, must be
transported by non-air transport modes.
[0006] Accordingly, when SDS or SAGE gas cylinders are shipped
internationally, they must be transported by ocean freight.
Transportation by ocean cargo vessels from the United States to
Europe or Asia increases the length of the supply chain by 20-40
days, in relation to air transport. The resulting increase in the
length of the supply chain requires corresponding increases in
required inventories and cylinder fleet sizes, increases the
likelihood of imbalances between the gas package supply and
dynamically changing gas demand, and results in lower order
fulfillment rates (in consequence of stock outages of the packaged
gas).
[0007] By contrast, air shipment cycle times between the United
States and Europe or Asia are on the order of 7 days or less.
[0008] Supply chain economics therefore greatly favor air transport
over other modes of shipment of packaged gases. Other factors
favoring air transportation over oceanic or other modes of
transport include: (i) improvement in security of gas packages as a
result of reduced time in the transportation pipeline and
corresponding reduction in opportunities for tampering or hijacking
of shipments of gas cylinders of toxic or otherwise hazardous
gases; (ii) reduced risk of damage to the gas product as a result
of reduced time of exposure to in-transit environmental conditions
such as moisture, vibration, water and extremes of heat and cold;
and (iii) the availability of better shipment tracking capabilities
from air carriers than are provided by ocean freight companies or
other non-air common carriers.
[0009] In sum, current transportation regulations prohibiting air
shipment of hazardous gases such as arsine, phosphine and boron
trifluoride were established as a result of safety concerns
associated with high pressure toxic gases. Even though the
adsorbent-based gas packages described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528
and commercialized under the trademarks SDS and SAGE afford a high
level of safety of the packaged gas (by packaging such gas at
pressures below 0 psig), it nonetheless it is necessary to achieve
an even higher level of safety to satisfy regulatory concerns
applicable to the air transport of hazardous gas packages.
[0010] It therefore would be a significant advance the art to
provide an improved gas package for secure containment of hazardous
gases such as arsine, phosphine and boron trifluoride, which
satisfies regulatory concerns associated with air transport of the
hazardous gases.
[0011] A related issue involving safety and security concerns when
toxic or hazardous materials are transported, regardless of the
specific mode of transport, is the issue of providing selective
access to the shipped gas container, so that only appropriate
persons have access to such toxic or hazardous materials during
their shipment, and reliably tracking such access during travel of
the toxic or hazardous material to its ultimate destination.
[0012] As the world continues to cope with security concerns, it is
particularly important that numerous high technology and advanced
materials, decaborane being but one example, not fall into the
hands of individuals with destructive intentions. Concurrently,
with ever-growing needs for increasing the speed of technical
development, more stringent commercial requirements for delivery of
supplies of raw materials at globally distant manufacturing
locations, and continual shrinkage of the time-frames for global
supply chains, it is vitally important to ship materials quickly,
efficiently and economically in a manner enabling tracking to
ensure that the material remains in a non-tampered state and is at
the appropriate place in the supply chain at the required time.
[0013] Although a variety of "tamper-proof" technologies has been
developed, including tapes, single-use locks, and indicator devices
that reveal whether or not a package has been opened, these
approaches do not provide a log of when and where the package has
been opened or otherwise inspected. This is a major deficiency,
since anti-terrorism measures are increasing in scope and
frequency, and inspections and contents verification of packages by
customs agents, police, military and other government and
commercial personnel are becoming routine at airports and many
other transshipment points in the world.
[0014] It therefore would be a significant advance in the art to
provide a containment package for hazardous or otherwise sensitive
material, which is of a tamper-proof character, and provides a
tracking capability and an indication of when and where the
containment package has been opened or otherwise accessed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to containment packages having
utility for storage and/or transport of materials, preferably
hazardous materials, more preferably hazardous fluids such as gas
or liquid, most preferably a gas, and to security systems useful
for controlling the transport and/or access to packages such as
hazardous gas containment packages.
[0016] The invention relates in one aspect to a container package
adapted for transport of at least one vessel containing at least
one material, preferably a hazardous material, more preferably a
hazardous fluid such as gas or liquid or the like, the container
package including an overpack enclosing an interior volume and
adapted for leak-tight sealing of the interior volume against an
exterior environment of the container package, the interior volume
being adapted to hold the at least one vessel therein, the overpack
including a monitoring system for monitoring at least one of,
pressure, temperature, chemical leak, chemical exposure, radiation
exposure and/or shock. Preferably, the material within the vessel
is at sub atmospheric pressure. The materials contained in the
vessel preferably include compounds, compositions or precursors for
use in ion implantation, CVD, ALD, etching or cleans
operations.
[0017] The invention relates in one aspect to a container package
adapted for transport of at least one fluid storage and dispensing
vessel containing fluid at a first pressure, the container package
including an overpack having an interior volume and adapted for
leak-tight sealing of the interior volume against an exterior
environment of the container package, the interior volume being
adapted to hold the at least one fluid storage and dispensing
vessel therein, the overpack including a pressurizing port adapted
for introduction of pressurizing gas to the interior volume of the
overpack to establish a second pressure in the interior volume
above the first pressure, and, preferably, a pressure monitor
adapted to monitor the second pressure. Preferably, the material
within the vessel is at sub atmospheric pressure.
[0018] In another aspect, the invention relates to a programmable
electromechanical lock and key system, including a programmable
electromechanical lock and electronic key. The lock and key system
may be programmable based on time (e.g., programmed to not be
unlocked for 20 days if estimated transportation time is 20 days),
location (e.g., programmed to only open at specified location(s))
and/or user (e.g., programmed to only be opened by designated
individuals). Preferably, the lock and key system is
GPS-controlled. Accordingly to one preferred embodiment, at least
one lock is operatively coupled with a GPS system so that the
programmable electromechanical lock is openable when the GPS system
indicates that the programmable electromechanical lock and
electronic key are both at a predetermined location or within
predetermined geographic coordinates, and electronic key is
actuated. Alternatively, the programmable lock or key system may be
openable upon input of a code or insertion of a key.
[0019] Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the
programmable lock and key system on the vessel(s) rather than or in
addition to the overpak containment system.
[0020] A further aspect of the invention relates to a
restricted-access packaging system, including a package including
an access structure, and a programmable electromechanical lock and
key system, operably coupled to the access structure to selectively
restrict access to the package. Preferably, the lock and key system
is GPS-controlled.
[0021] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a global
supply-chain system, including a programmable lock and key and/or
restricted-access packaging system of the foregoing type and a
supply-chain database or computer system.
[0022] A still further aspect of the events relates to a global
supply-chain system, including a container package adapted for
transport of at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel
containing fluid at a first pressure, the container package
including an overpack having an interior volume and adapted for
leak-tight sealing of the interior volume against an exterior
environment of the container package, the interior volume being
adapted to hold the at least one fluid storage and dispensing
vessel therein, the overpack including a pressurizing port adapted
for introduction of pressurizing gas to the interior volume of the
overpack to establish a second pressure in the interior volume
above the first pressure, and a pressure monitor adapted to monitor
the second pressure, and transport capability for shipment of the
container package from a first location to a second location.
Preferably, the material within the vessel is at sub atmospheric
pressure
[0023] In another aspect, the invention relates to a materials
transport system for shipment of a material, preferably a hazardous
material, more preferably a fluid such as gas or liquid, most
preferably gas, from a first location to a second location, the
materials transport system including a containment package
including an overpack for holding one or more vessels containing
the hazardous material during transportation thereof from the first
location to the second location, and a global positioning system
(GPS) coordinated programmable lock and key system operably coupled
with the containment package for locking thereof to prevent access
to the one or more vessels in the overpack, and adapted to unlock
the containment package at one or more locations during the
transportation thereof.
[0024] In another aspect, the invention relates to a materials
transport system for shipment of a hazardous gas from a first
location to a second location, the materials transport system
including a containment package including an overpack for holding
one or more vessels containing the hazardous gas during
transportation thereof from the first location to the second
location, and a global positioning system (GPS) coordinated
programmable lock and key system operably coupled with the
containment package for locking thereof to prevent access to the
one or more vessels in the overpack, and adapted to unlock the
containment package at one or more locations during the
transportation thereof.
[0025] Additionally, the GPS system could be further integrated
with active RFID technology that would enable a global inventory
control tracking and management system. For example active RFID
technology combined with GPS or cell phone communications, would
permit tracking and monitoring of overpacks containing hazardous
materials as they move anywhere through the supply chain.
Stationary overpacks may also be tracked and monitored as well.
Other capabilities of the GPS/RFID system would include alerting a
supply chain manager or authorities in the event of an undesirable
event during transportation and/or storage such as tampering,
mishandling or outright theft of the overpacks and/or the vessel
within the overpaks.
[0026] A still further aspect of the invention relates to an
overpack including an enclosure defining an interior volume adapted
for holding at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel in an
environment of containment gas, wherein the containment gas in the
interior volume of the overpack is at a pressure that is above the
pressure level of a fluid contained in the at least one fluid
storage and dispensing vessel. Preferably, the material within the
vessel is at subatmospheric pressure.
[0027] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of
manufacturing a product, preferably semiconductor product, using a
material, preferably a hazardous material, more preferably a
hazardous fluid such as gas or liquid, most preferably gas, for its
manufacture, the method including supplying the material from a
material storage and dispensing vessel transported by a container
package as described hereinabove and using such material in a
semiconductor manufacturing operation to form the product.
Preferably, the semiconductor manufacturing operation is a CVD
process or implant process or ALD or cleans operation. According to
one embodiment, the container package includes aGPS-controlled
programmable electromechanical lock and key system as described
hereinabove. Accordingly to another embodiment, the container
package includes a restricted access packaging system as previously
described. According to a further embodiment, the container package
includes or is adapted for use with a global supply-chain system as
described hereinabove.
[0028] Additional aspects of the invention relate to various
methods, including: a method of manufacturing a semiconductor
product requiring a material, preferably a hazardous material, more
preferably a hazardous fluid such as gas or liquid, most preferably
gas, for its manufacture, including supplying the material,
preferably a fluid, from an overpack; a method for supplying a
material, preferably a fluid, including filling a material storage
and dispensing vessel with the material, preferably a fluid, and
installing the material storage and dispensing vessel in a
container package; a method for supplying a material, preferably a
fluid, including filling a material, preferably a fluid storage and
dispensing vessel for installation in a container package; a method
of supplying a material, preferably a fluid, including introducing
the material into an overpack; a method of supplying a material,
preferably a fluid, including introducing the material into a
container package; a method of supplying a material, preferably a
fluid for semiconductor manufacture, including transporting the
material in a global supply chain system, transporting the
material, preferably a fluid in a global supply chain system,
and/or transporting the material, preferably a fluid in a materials
transport system; a method of supplying a material, preferably a
fluid for semiconductor manufacture, including transporting the
material, preferably a fluid in a materials transport system; a
method of supplying a material, preferably a fluid for
semiconductor manufacture, including transporting the material,
preferably a fluid in an overpack; a method of securing a material
or article, including packaging same in a package secured with a
GPS-controlled programmable electromechanical lock and key system;
a method of securing a material or article, including use of a
GPS-controlled programmable electromechanical lock and key system;
a method of enhancing safety of a material, preferably a fluid
during transport thereof, the method including use of a container
package; a method of enhancing safety of a fluid during transport
thereof, the method including use of a GPS-controlled programmable
electromechanical lock and key system; and a method of enhancing
safety of a material, preferably a fluid during transport thereof,
the method including packaging the material, preferably a fluid in
an overpack.
[0029] Other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention
will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container package
according to one embodiment of the present invention including an
overpack having an array of gas-containing vessels therein.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective exterior view of the container
package of FIG. 1
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in cross-section, of the
container package of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the
upper left hand portion of the container package shown in FIG.
3.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the
upper right hand portion of the container package shown in FIG.
3.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid of the container
package of FIGS. 1-5, showing the details of the construction
thereof.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lid of the container
package of FIGS. 1-6.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, in elevational cross-section,
of a portion of the lid shown in the preceding drawings, as
depicted with an associated pressure gauge in the first port at the
right-band side of the lid, and a valve mounted on a fitting in the
second port on the left-hand side of the lid, in the view
shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
THEREOF
[0038] The present invention relates to containment packages having
utility for the storage and/or transport of materials, preferably
hazardous materials, more preferably liquids and/or gases, most
preferably gases, and to security systems for controlling access to
packages, e.g., hazardous gas containment packages.
[0039] As used herein the term "hazardous materials" is defined as
including any material identified in 49 CFR-172.101 Hazardous
Materials Table and sanctioned by Hazardous Materials
Regulations.
[0040] In one specific aspect, the invention relates to a
containment package, including an overpack for improving the safety
and security of gas-containment vessels during transportation,
e.g., air shipment, and a global positioning system (GPS)
coordinated programmable lock and key system suitable for use with
a package such as container packages for hazardous gases.
[0041] The vessels described herein can be any container for
materials. Preferably, the vessel comprise a subatmospheric vessel
such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528; U.S. Pat. No.
5,704,965; U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,967; U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,305; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,406,519; U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,180; U.S. Pat. No.
5,837,027; U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,278; U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,027; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,101,816; U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,476; U.S. Pat. No.
6,660,063; U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,653; U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,492; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,851,270; U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,245; U.S. Pat. No.
5,761,910; U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,298; U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,653; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,424, hereby incorporated herein by reference,
in their respective entireties. Preferred vessels includes SDS.RTM.
and VAC.RTM. delivery vessels (ATMI, Inc.).
[0042] Although described herein primarily in application to fluid
storage and dispensing apparatus of the type disclosed in the
aforementioned Tom, et al. patent, wherein a solid-phase physical
adsorbent medium is employed for sorptively retaining gas for
storage and subsequent dispensing of gas under desorption
dispensing conditions, the utility of the invention is not thus
limited. Contrariwise, the invention contemplates a wide variety of
other types of fluid storage and dispensing apparatus, including
fluid storage and dispensing apparatus in which other types of
sorbent media are employed to store a fluid for subsequent
disengagement of the fluid from the sorbent medium under dispensing
conditions.
[0043] In such respect, the sorbent medium may include a solvent,
liquid, semi-solid, or other material having capability as a
storage medium. For example, the fluid storage medium may be a
reversible reactive liquid medium, e.g., an ionic liquid medium,
capable of reactive uptake of fluid in a first step, and reactive
release of previously taken up fluid in a second step, wherein the
first and second steps are reverse reactions in relation to one
another, and define a reversible reaction scheme. According to
another embodiment, the vessel uses a liquid absorbent, such as
those disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 20040206241, hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0044] According to yet another embodiment, the vessel is a solids
delivery vessel (e.g., ProEVap.TM. system) such as those disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,062, U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/662,515, or US Patent Publication No. 20050039794,
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0045] The containment package of the present invention enables an
enhanced level of safety to be achieved in the transport of fluids,
and in application to sub-atmospheric fluid sources such as the
aforementioned SDS and SAGE adsorbent-based fluid storage and
dispensing apparatus, provides a safety level that is appropriate
for air transport of the (sub-atmospheric) fluid.
[0046] The containment package of the invention in a specific
embodiment includes an overpack for a fluid storage and dispensing
vessel, e.g., an adsorbent-based gas storage and dispensing vessel
of the general type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,704,965, U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,967 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,424
as commercially available from ATMI, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.) under
the trademarks SDS and SAGE. The overpack preferably includes an
enclosure for the fluid storage and dispensing vessel, in which the
enclosure defines an interior volume adapted for holding the fluid
storage and dispensing vessel in an environment of containment gas.
The containment gas in the interior volume of the overpack is at a
pressure that is above the pressure level of the fluid contained in
the fluid storage and dispensing vessel. In a preferred embodiment,
the pressure of the containment gas is above ambient pressure
exterior to the overpack. The containment gas preferably is inert,
i.e., a gas that is non-reactive in exposure to the fluid storage
and dispensing vessel and its contents.
[0047] The positive pressure of the containment gas in the overpack
in relation to the fluid in the vessel held in the overpack ensures
that in the event the vessel in the overpack develops a leak, the
resulting initial movement of gas will be into the vessel, and not
out of the vessel into the overpack. In addition, the use of an
inert gas as the containment gas in the interior volume of the
overpack helps to minimize the risk of deleterious effects such as
corrosion and fire in the event of leakage of gas from the vessel
into the surrounding interior volume in the overpack. This is
highly advantageous when highly corrosive or pyrophoric gases such
silane and boron trifluoride are to be transported in a fluid
storage and dispensing vessel that is held in the overpack.
[0048] The overpack in one preferred embodiment is equipped with a
pressure monitor, e.g., an analog or alternatively a digital
pressure gauge. The functions served by the pressure monitor may
include one or more or all of the following: (i) monitoring and
control of the pressurization of the overpack during charging with
the containment gas; (ii) leak indication in the event that the
integrity of the overpack is compromised, e.g., by puncturing or
other occurrence impairing the leak-tightness of the overpack;
(iii) detection of a leak in the fluid storage and dispensing
vessel held in the interior volume of the overpack, involving loss
of internal pressure in the interior volume of the overpack as
containment gas flows from the interior volume of the overpack into
the fluid storage and dispensing vessel held therein; and (iv)
verification of tampering involving loss of pressure of the
containment gas if the structural integrity of the overpack has
compromised by intentional activity impairing the leak-tightness of
the overpack against the external environment.
[0049] The overpack in another embodiment is adapted for thermal
management of the gas package including the overpack and a fluid
storage and dispensing vessel contained therein. During
transportation, the overpack can be exposed to a wide range of
temperatures, e.g., temperatures in a range of from -40.degree. to
150.degree. F. To accommodate such temperature variability, the
overpack can be equipped with a thermal controller, to control
temperature of the fluid storage and dispensing vessel or otherwise
damp the effects of temperature variation.
[0050] The thermal controller can be variously constituted, and in
specific embodiments can include active heating and cooling
componentry, and/or thermal insulation of the overpack. For
example, the overpack can include dunnage in the interior volume
whose function is to positionally fix and stabilize a gas cylinder
therein. Such dunnage can be fabricated of a low thermal
conductivity material, e.g., a high quality insulative material, to
dampen thermal swings during transportation, and thereby minimize
adverse effects on the gas in the cylinder held in the interior
volume of the overpack.
[0051] The thermal controller may additionally, or alternatively,
include devices or structure for heat addition and removal. For
example, a phase change gel pack may be incorporated in the
overpack, including a material capable of phase change in a
temperature range of interest, so that temperature changes that
deviate from the phase change temperature of the material in the
gel pack will prompt either a solidification that releases heat or
a liquefaction that adsorbs heat from the surrounding environment,
depending on the direction of the temperature deviation. By such
expedient, temperature of the cylinder in the overpack can be
maintained in a predetermined range during its transport.
[0052] Such thermal control is highly advantageous in the
application of the overpack to containment of adsorbent-based fluid
storage and dispensing vessels, since internal pressure in such
adsorbent-based vessels is a function of temperature, and pressure
determines the level of safety that is achieved by the gas package,
i.e., the lower the pressure in the adsorbent-based fluid storage
and dispensing vessel, the lower the likelihood that a leak will
occur.
[0053] By way of specific example, in an SDS or SAGE cylinder,
pressure typically increases by 0.25 psi for each degree of
increase in temperature. At 70.degree. F., pressure in a gas-filled
SDS or SAGE cylinder is typically less than 1 atmosphere, however
at 80.degree. F., the pressure in the vessel can be greater than 1
atmosphere, and a leak in the cylinder would result in egress of
gas from the cylinder to the surrounding ambient pressure
environment.
[0054] In another embodiment, the thermal monitor includes a
time-temperature monitoring system, e.g., a system such as the
3M.TM. MonitorMark.TM. time-temperature monitoring system
commercially available from 3M Co., Minneapolis, Minn., to provide
assurance that the cylinder in the overpack is maintained at a
required temperature during transportation.
[0055] Temperature control and monitoring capability associated
with the overpack is especially important in application to gas
storage and delivery systems that are based on liquid adsorption or
complexation. For example, gas adsorbed into a liquid such as
tetraglyme or an ionic liquid may become less soluble as a function
of increasing temperature, so that increasing temperature increases
the pressure within the cylinder and reduces the safety of the gas
containment. By the provision of temperature control and monitoring
capability associated with the overpack, such liquid-based gas
storage and dispensing systems can be transported in a highly safe
and effective manner, commensurate with the requirements of gas
containment for air shipping applications.
[0056] In other embodiments of the invention, the safe character of
the overpack is enhanced by the provision of passive elements for
monitoring and abating gas leaks within the overpack. In order to
detect a leak within the overpack, a gas-specific detector can be
deployed, such as a gas-specific sensor disposed in a port of the
overpack and providing a visual indication to a viewer that a leak
has occurred. Additionally, or alternatively, dunnage or inner
packing in the interior volume of the overpack can be employed,
which incorporates an adsorbent medium that would take up and
immobilize any leaking gas from the cylinder inside the overpack.
Such adsorbent medium may include a physical absorbent medium, or
alternatively, or additionally, include a chemisorbent medium.
[0057] The overpack itself may be formed in any suitable manner to
provide the enclosure housing with an appropriate shape, structure
and/or configuration for leak-tight containment of the fluid
storage and dispensing vessel. In one embodiment, the overpack
includes a steel drum defining an enclosure housing for the fluid
storage and dispensing vessel. Other containers of greater size
than the fluid storage and dispensing vessel may be employed, and
the overpack can be of a size and volumetric capacity adapted for
containing a multiplicity of fluid storage and dispensing vessels
therein.
[0058] The overpack enclosure may be formed of any of a wide
variety of suitable materials of construction, and may be formed as
a unitary enclosure or as an assembly of enclosure-forming
structural members. The overpack can employ any of a wide variety
of suitable sealing arrangements, including, without limitation,
gasket seals, bolted flanges, threaded screws, crimped caps,
swages, press fit structures, heat seals, etc. Potentially suitable
materials of construction include, without limitation, metals,
plastics/polymers, wood, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, composite
materials, and the like.
[0059] The overpack assembly can include various accessories and
ancillary features, including, without limitation, thermal
insulators, heaters, coolers, pressure relief devices, valves,
pressure gauges and transducers, internal chemical
adsorbents/scrubbers, fire extinguishers, temperature monitors and
indicators, shock absorbers, shock sensors, and tracking devices,
e.g., radio frequency identification devices (RFIDs), global
positioning satellite (GPS) tracking devices, barcodes and other
scannable or detectible identification indicia, etc.
[0060] The fluids that can be contained in and dispensed from the
fluid storage and dispensing vessel can be of any suitable type. In
one embodiment, the fluid in the fluid storage and dispensing
vessel is a semiconductor manufacturing fluid, such as, for
example, boron trifluoride, arsine, phosphine, silicon
tetrafluoride, germanium tetrafluoride, arsenic pentafluoride,
phosphorus trifluoride, hydrogen selenide, diborane and
decaborane.
[0061] In one embodiment, the gas package includes an overpack
containing at least one gas storage and dispensing vessel holding
gas adsorbed on nano-scale porous carbon, i.e., particles of carbon
with pores having diameters of nanometer-scale dimensions, with the
gas being stored at sub-atmospheric pressure. In such embodiment,
the gas storage and dispensing vessel is contained in a pressurized
steel overpack drum with a visible pressure gauge, enabling
transportation personnel to quickly and safely check to the
integrity of the gas package, by viewing the pressure gauge
indication of the pressure in the overpack drum. The overpack is
equipped with a foam inner lining that conforms to the shape of the
gas storage and dispensing vessel that is contained in the overpack
drum. The foam inner lining is formed of polypropylene, all gaskets
of the overpack are formed of Viton elastomer, and the drum is
coated on its interior as well as exterior surfaces with an epoxy
phenolic primer.
[0062] The gas package is constructed so that the maximum pressure
in any fully loaded cylinder installed in the overpack will be less
than 0 psig at 21.degree. C. (70.degree. F.). In the valve head of
the cylinder, the valve wheel is secured by a strap that provides
tension in the tightening direction and a plug is placed in the
valve in such valve head. A protective valve cap is used to protect
the valve area of the cylinder valve head. The cylinder and valve
area are shrink-wrapped before being placed in the overpack
drum.
[0063] The filled gas cylinders are placed into the foam inner
lining in the interior volume of the overpack drum to prevent
movement of the cylinders. The drum then is pressurized to a
pressure of about 3-5 psig with an inert gas such as nitrogen gas,
and the pressure is clearly readable from outside the drum by
viewing a recessed pressure gauge. The pressure gauge provides a
readily visually verifiable check of the pressure to ensure that it
is at an appropriate level. Transportation service personnel can
then be instructed to reject or remove the package from
transportation if the pressure indicated by the pressure gauge
drops below a predetermined value.
[0064] The number of cylinders per overpack drum in this
illustrative embodiment is between 6 and 24, depending on the
relative sizes of the cylinders and the overpack drum, with the
amount of gas in the cylinders being dependent on the size of the
cylinder in each instance. For example, the volume of the cylinders
may range from 0.4 L to 6.6 L, and the drum may be sized to
accommodate 24 cylinders each having a volume of 0.4 L in a first
embodiment, or 6 cylinders each having a volume of 6.6 L in a
second embodiment, or 12 cylinders each having a volume of the 2.2
L in a third embodiment.
[0065] The invention in another aspect relates to a programmable
lock and key system that provides a package with a restricted
access character, a tracking capability, and a recorded history of
when and where the package has been opened. In a still further
embodiment, the invention contemplates the provision of a global
positioning satellite (GPS), as a controller for such programmable
lock and key system.
[0066] The GPS programmable lock and key system utilizes a
programmable electro-mechanical locking system providing a log of
lock operation (date and time information), in combination with a
GPS system providing geographic and/or spatial information on the
location of the package.
[0067] In one specific embodiment, the GPS system is coupled with
the programmable electro-mechanical locking system, so that the
latter can be actuated for unlocking only when the GPS component
indicates that the locking system is in a specific geographic area.
In one particular arrangement of this embodiment, a GPS
programmable lock and key system can is programmably adapted so
that the GPS device generates a signal that is transmitted to the
lock and/or key, to enable the lock to be opened only in
predetermined geographic locations, such as a customs checkpoint, a
distributor's warehouse, or an end user's facility. For example,
the GPS system can be programmed to actuate the lock by a signal
transmitted from the GPS to the lock, thereby placing the lock in
an actuatable mode in which an electronic key can be employed to
open the lock, and permit access to the locked container package,
when the physical location of the container package is determined
by the GPS system to be within a specified set of coordinates.
[0068] The programmable electro-mechanical locking system can be of
any suitable type. One such locking system is the CyberLock system,
commercially available from Videx, Inc. (Corvallis, Oreg.,
http://www.videx.com/products/detail/cyberlock.html). The CyberLock
system utilizes an electronic key that is programmed with access
privileges for each authorized user. Each time that the key is used
at the lock, a record including lock identification, date and time
is stored in the key, while the key identification, date and time
are stored as a record in the lock. The lock and key also record
attempts by an unauthorized person to open the lock. The system may
be employed with software that schedules access times, maintains a
log of lock access, generates reports and disables lost keys. The
software may be employed on a handheld or desktop computer or other
processor, arranged in signal communication relationship with the
lock and/or key. When the programmable electro-mechanical locking
system is integrated with a GPS device in the manner described
above, such handheld or desktop computer or other processor can
also be arranged in signal processing and signal communication
relationship with the GPS device.
[0069] Programmable electro-mechanical locking systems have
conventionally been employed for security and access control of
stationary installations, but have not heretofore been employed for
tracking and access control of transportable articles in the manner
of the present invention. Further, due to such prior usage for
security and access control of stationary installations, the date
and time information afforded by the locking system has not needed
to be associated with any geographic or spatial information.
[0070] The present invention in one preferred aspect utilizes a
programmable electro-mechanical locking system in the management of
high sensitivity materials, such as hazardous chemicals, nuclear
waste, currency, securities, antiquities, artworks, hazardous
biological materials, valuables, secrets, historical artifacts,
transactional documents, etc.
[0071] As applied to chemical materials management, the invention
contemplates the application of programmable electro-mechanical
locking systems to chemicals in supply chains. The materials
management system for such purpose can include any suitable
containers to which the programmable electro-mechanical locking
system is adaptable, including, for example, cylinders, barrels,
ampoules, bottles, crucibles, boxes, cases, bags, liners, crates,
and the like, which are locked with an appropriate electronic or
electromechanical lock openable by an electronic key that is
appropriately programmed, e.g., with a predetermined expiration
date, access dates and/or times, number of uses, etc., and
transmitted to an authorized access party, who may for example be a
government inspector, manufacturer's representative, independent
analyst, broker, testing laboratory, distributor, reseller,
end-user, etc. By this arrangement, the material can be accessed
only by an intended authorized party or parties.
[0072] In one specific embodiment, the material container is a gas
cylinder, e.g., an adsorbent-based subatmospheric pressure gas
storage and delivery cylinder of the type described hereinabove,
equipped with a programmable electromechanical lock openable by
electronic keys.
[0073] In a further aspect, the invention contemplates the
application of programmable electronic or electro-mechanical
locking systems as described above for materials management, in
combination with a global position device that is coupled with the
locking system to allow a package containing the material to be
opened only within certain geographic boundaries.
[0074] The coupling of the programmable electro-mechanical locking
system with the global position device can be effected in any of
various ways. In one embodiment, a GPS signal is electronically
wired to the lock of the locking system, as previously described.
In another embodiment, a GPS signal is electronically wired to the
electronic key of the locking system. In another embodiment,
sequential lock operation is required in which the electronic key
is deployed to activate the lock of a GPS unit with a first lock,
to open it, and immediately thereafter (within a predetermined time
frame) the same electronic key is used to activate the second lock
for unopening thereof. In this way, the number of GPS transducers
can be reduced, with one GPS transducer serving many keys.
[0075] Thus, the invention contemplates a time- and
spatially-programmable lock system enabling control by an
originator, sender or other appropriate person of the material once
the material has left the possession of such person. An
electronically traceable trail of the access is provided, to aid in
avoiding misdirection, theft, damage, contamination, loss or other
adverse circumstance involving the material contained in the
package equipped with such lock system. For example, such
electronic trail of a chemical material can be utilized to verify
that the package was appropriately filled with a specific chemical
reagent by a specific manufacturer on a specific date, thereby
avoiding instances of containers being filled or refilled with
wrong materials, directed to a wrong process tool, or otherwise
compromised.
[0076] As another variant embodiment, locks could also be
programmed to expire after the useful lifetime of a packaged
material, thereby preventing use of the out-of-specification
materials in sensitive process applications.
[0077] The present invention thus contemplates a packaging
apparatus and method in which a cylinder containing hazardous gas
is secured by a safety system providing an additional level of
protection, enabling transportation personnel to quickly and safely
check the integrity of the package. The safety system may variously
employ the previously described container package including an
overpack in which the cylinder is maintained in a gas environment
at a pressure that is above the pressure of the hazardous gas
contained in the cylinder, and/or a programmable locking system, in
which the programmable locking system optionally, and preferably,
is integrated with a GPS system controlling the operability of the
locking system.
[0078] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of a gas container package 10 according to one embodiment of the
present invention including an overpack II having an array of
gas-containing vessels 20 therein. The overpack 11 includes a
cylindrical side wall 14, floor member 12, and lid 16 defining an
interior volume 18 in which the vessel array is disposed. The
vessels 20 are maintained in position in the interior volume by a
foam inner liner (described more fully hereinafter, but not shown
in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration of the interiorly disposed
vessel array).
[0079] The floor member 12 of the overpack 11 is joined
leak-tightly to side wall 14 along the circumference of the
circular floor member, e.g., by welding, brazing, fusion bonding or
other suitable joining technique ensuring leak-tightness. The lid
16 of the overpack is leak-tightly secured to the upper end of the
side wall 14 by a circumferential clamping ring 22 having split
ends joined to fastening flanges 24 and 26. The fastening flanges
24 and 26 are cooperatively coupled by a mechanical fastening
assembly including bolt 34 and nut 36.
[0080] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bolt 34 of the bolt
and nut assembly is passed through a central bore of the
cylindrical upper portion 28 of the time- and
spatially-programmable lock 30 having a main housing portion 31
coupled to the cylindrical upper portion. When the programmable
lock 30 is locked, the cylindrical upper portion 28 engages bolt 34
so that the bolt is fixedly positioned and cannot be removed from
the bore of the cylindrical upper portion until the main housing
portion provides an electronic unlocking signal to the cylindrical
upper portion, whereupon the cylindrical upper portion 28
disengages from the bolt 34 and permits its removal. The main
housing portion 31 contains the lock system electronics that are
responsive to an electronic key (not shown in FIG. 1) and include
GPS componentry and transducer circuitry enabling unlocking to
occur only when the GPS componentry generates a signal indicating
to the locking/unlocking mechanism that the gas container package
is in an appropriate geographic location.
[0081] The lock system electronics, locking/unlocking mechanism,
GPS componentry and transducer circuitry, and electronic keys are
all readily fabricated and programmably arranged in a specific
implementation, within the skill of the art based on the disclosure
herein.
[0082] By the provision of the time- and spatially-programmable
lock 30, the gas container package is maintained in a tamper-proof
condition during transport, so that only authorized persons having
possession of electronic keys compatible with the lock can gain
access to the contents of the gas container package.
[0083] Until it is unlocked and the lid 16 is removed from the
upper end of the side wall, the lid is clamped by the
circumferential clamping ring 22 to the upper end of the side wall
in a leak-tight fashion, and for this purpose, the container
package may further employ gaskets or other sealing structures to
ensure such leak-tightness.
[0084] When sealed, the interior volume 18 of the container package
is maintained at a pressure that is above the pressure existing in
the gas vessels 20 in the interior volume 18, by fill of the
interior volume with pressurizing gas, preferably an inert
pressurizing gas such as nitrogen, argon, helium, or the like,
whereby any leakage of any of the vessels 20 will result in initial
inflow of the pressurizing gas into the leaking vessel.
[0085] When a multiplicity of gas vessels is contained in the
interior volume of the container package, it will be recognized
that the internal pressure in individual vessels may be different
from one vessel to another. In such instance, the pressurizing gas
is that a pressure that is in excess of the highest of the
individual vessel internal pressures.
[0086] The vessels 20 in the container package in a preferred
embodiment are vessels containing adsorbent having sorptive
affinity for the gas of interest, wherein the pressure of the gas
in the vessels is less than 1 atmosphere, e.g., 0.4-0.9 atmosphere,
and the pressure of the pressurizing gas in the interior volume of
the overpack is in excess of atmospheric pressure, e.g., a pressure
of 1.2-1.5 atmospheres.
[0087] The container package once loaded with gas-containing
vessels 20 and sealed is pressurized via the valve 40 mounted in
the lid 16, in a first port therein. The lid also includes a second
port in which is disposed a pressure gauge 38, so that pressure in
the interior volume of the container package can be visually
monitored.
[0088] In lieu of, or in addition to, the use of a pressure gauge,
the container package may employ a pressure transducer arranged in
signal transmitting relationship, e.g., wirelessly, to an output
display device, such as a screen on a handheld or desktop computer
or other processor, as well as other instrumentation and monitoring
devices, output displays, as previously described herein.
[0089] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container package 10 of
FIG. 1, wherein all parts and elements are numbered correspondingly
with respect to the same parts and elements in FIG. 1. As shown,
the overpack 11 includes floor 12 leak-tightly joined to side wall
14, and the lid 16 retained in sealing position by circumferential
clamping ring 22, and featuring the valve 40 and pressure gauge 38.
The container package 10 may be formed as a steel drum, of
cylindrical shape, and having an appropriate volume for retaining
an array of gas-containing vessels therein.
[0090] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in cross-section, of the
container package 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein all corresponding
parts and elements are correspondingly numbered.
[0091] FIG. 3 shows the foam inner liner as including an upper
liner portion 52 and a lower liner portion 50, filling the interior
volume 18 of the overpack. The upper and lower portions of the foam
inner liner are fabricated with matably alignable cavities therein,
so that when the upper and lower portions of the foam inner liner
are mated with one another, pockets are provided that contain the
gas-containing vessels 54 and 56 (of the multiple vessels array
shown in FIG. 1), in a positionally fixed manner.
[0092] The foam inner liner may be formed of polymeric foam
material, or alternatively, the interior volume 18 may contain
other non-foam structures, which function to fixedly position the
vessels in the interior volume, and protect them from shock,
impact, vibration, etc. The foam liner in a preferred embodiment is
formed of a low thermal conductivity material to constitute an
insulant medium in the interior volume, which protects the vessels
from thermal shocks, and buffers the vessels during changes in
temperature conditions in the ambient environment of the container
package.
[0093] The liner in the container package thus may be of any
suitable material of construction and of any appropriate form,
e.g., in the form of particles, web or sheet-form structures,
batting, mats, aggregates, screens, powders, solid media of
open-cell or closed cell character, laminates, bricks, etc., as
appropriate to positionally fix the vessels in the container
package.
[0094] As also shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion 52 of the foam
inner liner also has cavities formed therein to accommodate the
valve 40 and the pressure gauge 38.
[0095] FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the
upper left hand portion of the container package shown in FIG. 3,
wherein all corresponding parts and elements are correspondingly
labeled. The overpack 11 contains the liner upper portion 52 having
a cavity therein to contain the valve 40.
[0096] As illustrated, the valve 40 includes mated fittings 60 and
62 positioning the valve coupling 64 for engagement with a mating
coupling on a feed line joined to a pressurizing gas supply (not
shown), whereby the interior volume of the container package may be
pressurized with a suitable pressurizing gas to a pressure that is
above the pressure of the gas in the vessels in the container
package, after the overpack has been sealed. The circumferentially
extending clamping ring 22 is shown in FIG. 4 engaging the rim of
the lid 16.
[0097] The valve coupling 64 as shown is recessed from the main top
surface of the lid, in order to maintain the valve coupling out of
exposure to impact or bearing contact with other parts or surfaces
that could otherwise damage such valve coupling, and result in
leakage and loss of the pressurizing gas to the ambient environment
of the container package.
[0098] FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the
upper right hand portion of the container package shown in FIG. 3,
wherein all corresponding parts and elements are correspondingly
labeled. The overpack 11 contains the liner upper portion 52 having
a cavity therein to contain the pressure gauge 38.
[0099] The pressure gauge 38 may be of any suitable type, e.g.,
having a dial with a 3.5 cm diameter enabling ready visual
determination of the pressure condition in the interior volume of
the overpack. The pressure gauge 38 in the embodiment shown is
mounted on a modified pipe bushing 68 joined in turn to a welded
steel coupling 66 that is secured to the lid 16. The lid as shown
is circumscribed by the clamping ring 22, to effect leak-tight
sealing of the interior volume of the container package.
[0100] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid 16 of the container
package of FIGS. 1-5, showing the details of construction thereof.
The lid has a first port 86 accommodating the pressure gauge 38 and
a second port 88 accommodating the valve 40. The pressure gauge 38
and the valve 40 are mounted on support structures 72 including the
fitting 60 supporting the valve 40 and modified pipe bushing 68
supporting the pressure gauge 38. FIG. 6 shows a gauge lens 70
mounted in the first port 86 to protectively overlie the pressure
gauge 38, while allowing for ready visual inspection of the gauge
to determine the pressure in the interior volume of the container
package.
[0101] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lid 16 of the FIGS. 1-6
container package, numbered correspondingly with respect to the
preceding drawings. The valve coupling mounted in the second port
is provided with a hard cap 80, e.g. of a hard plastic material,
whereby the valve is protected from dust and contamination. FIG. 7
also shows the gauge lens 70 in the first port of the lid, arranged
to overlie the pressure gauge.
[0102] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, in elevational cross-section,
of a portion of the lid 16 shown in the preceding drawings, as
depicted with the associated pressure gauge 38 in the first port at
the right-hand side of the lid as illustrated, and valve 40 mounted
on fitting 60 in the second port on the left-hand side of the lid
as illustrated.
[0103] As discussed hereinabove, in lieu of the viewable pressure
gauge 38 shown in FIGS. 1-8 herein, the container package may
employ additional or different pressure monitoring elements. For
example, the container package may incorporate a pressure
transducer that is coupled with a radio frequency antenna to
transmit a signal indicative of the pressure in the interior volume
of the container package, or other and different devices may be
employed to monitor the pressure condition of the interior volume
during pressurizing gas filling, or subsequent storage and/or
transport of the container package.
[0104] It will also be appreciated that additional monitoring and
control features and capabilities may be incorporated in the
container package of the invention, including RFID or other "smart"
tags, thermal management features (e.g., providing the overpack
with on-board heat exchange capability, forming the overpack
container with fins or other extended area heat transfer surface,
etc.), leak detection devices in the interior volume specific for
the gas contained in the vessels held in the overpack, chemisorbent
ampoules in the interior volume for uptake of outwardly diffusing
hazardous gas from sorbent-containing vessels experiencing leak
behavior, etc. Further, the conformation of the overpack may be
varied from the cylindrical geometry illustratively shown and
described herein, to encompass overpacks that are of cubic,
rectangular parallelepiped, frustoconical, pyramidal or other shape
or geometric form.
[0105] Finally, although a programmable electro-mechanical locking
system integrated with a global position device, e.g., to allow GPS
tracking and/or geographically restricted access via the locking
system, has been illustratively described in application to a gas
container package, it will be recognized that the utility of such
arrangement is not thus limited, but that such GPS-augmented
programmable electromechanical locking system is broadly useful in
any circumstance in which information, material or an article is
susceptible to being secured by a locked arrangement, and in which
restricted access to the locked item is desirably accommodated
while ensuring that no unauthorized access has occurred.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0106] The invention provides a highly secure containment package
for hazardous or otherwise sensitive materials, of a "tamper-proof"
character, that provides the tracking capability and indication of
when and where the containment package has been opened or otherwise
accessed. The containment package technology of the invention
facilitates legitimate inspections and contents verification of
packages by customs agents, police, military and other government
and commercial personnel, while safeguarding the containment
package contents against unlawful or unauthorized intrusion.
* * * * *
References