Securing the Future

Containerisation of sea freight has been going for just over 56 years and what a huge revolution is has brought us, without it the global outsourcing of production would never have caught on and the world would be a much poorer place, literally. On a smaller scale tote boxes have created a similar revolution in the logistics industry. The driver for the use of tote boxes has been the increasing cost of cardboard and environmentalism calling for ever more recycling or even better, reuse. A tote box allows a container to be reused and reused, providing massive cost savings, environmental and security benefits. Tote boxes come in all types and sizes from open bread crates to attached lidded containers (ALCs) ranging in size from 5 to 165 litres capacity, although the 64 litre box is by far the most widely used. Totes Boxes need to be able to circulate, thus lending themselves to closed loop distribution systems. Shipping boxes full from the Distribution Centre (DC) is cost effective, returning empty could be less so, however by folding flat or nesting the boxes much less space is used and so they can be returned to base efficiently. In general ALCs that nest are most secure in use. The great thing about tote boxes is they simplify two-way traffic, so returns and repairs can be managed with the same high level of security as new stock. The use of tote boxes in the form of ALCs allows for greater security than ever before. Each box with interlocking lid doors can be secured and allow access to the contents only by breaking the tamper evident closures or seals. ALCs have integral sealing slots within the lids and rim of the box and sometimes, on larger boxes, a central sealing slot where the lids overlap to prevent bending to gain access. Sealing slots are either closed-off to the outside, requiring a push fit type seal or open, allowing a pull tight seal to wrap around both lid and box rim preventing the box from being opened. Seals also provide the opportunity for addition logistical coding, for example different colours for outbound from the distribution centre and inbound from the retail or workshop sites. Numbering and barcoding also creates some management opportunities by using prefixes to identify different sites or contents. The integral slot provides an interesting challenge; creating a seal that allows the box lid to be secured in place, strong enough to hold the lid down even if the box is over filled and cunningly designed to prevent unauthorised opening whilst in transit or in store without leaving evidence. The leading tote box manufacturers have done a fine job in creating boxes that can be secured in several different ways and Unisto has risen to the challenge, manufacturing seals to provide security to a variety of different levels depending on the needs of the business and the value of the products contained. Push Fit Closures and Seals The term closure refers to a security device without numbering or identifying marks as it is not uniquely identified it cannot be referred to as a security seal. Twist-Off At the lowest level the unmarked Twist-Off closure is simple to use and can be pushed closed and removed easily by twisting the raised head of the closure. The Twist-off has just two offset locking prongs and fits a wide variety of different ALCs. Unibox This closure has some security features, four offset prongs for example, that on insertion into the slot expand preventing removal. Being offset avoids the risk of accessing the prongs from the underside of a tote and using pliers to compress them together and remove the closure. The top plate of the Unibox has a tamper evident break point in the centre; once removed the seal cannot be glued or heat welded back in place without leaving tamper evidence. Syntra At the top level of push fit closures is Syntra, it has the same features as Unibox, four offset prongs and a tamper evident top plate, however Syntra can also be numbered making it a security seal. Syntra comes in two types standard and Grand, being thicker with a higher breaking strain. It is perfectly designed to fit the majority of tote boxes on the market and locates neatly into the recessed slot engineered in the popular Integra Box, that protects the seal when stacked and in transit. Syntra can be marked in pairs numbered alike and supplied in strips for ease of use. Wrap around tamper evident and barrier seals Open slots in the tote box lid and rim allows the use of pull tight type seals that provide additional strength and security as well as being able to carry a great deal more information on an enlarged tag. These seals highly flexible and can be used on many types of distribution container including roll cages and bags. Varis Moulded in polypropylene, is a rugged, strong seal, with a break strain of around 52kg. The seal requires removal from the box using either snips or a safety knife. Manufactured with health and safety in mind the Varis has a feedback slot for excess ribbon that protects handlers from the risk of eye damage. Twinstar This high specification tamper evident security seal is ideal for use of ALCs where the contents are of high value or sensitivity. The seal is manufactured to very fine tolerances, with a profiled ribbon and has many features providing evidence of attempted manipulation. For additional security the Twinstar is directly laser marked with serial number, barcode and wording. The seal also has a safety ribbon feedback slot to protect handlers. Barrier Seal: Metalo Range of Cable Seals When opportunistic access to a tote box is to be prevented, then barrier security is required in the form of a cable seal. Cable seals come in various lengths and diameters requiring wire cutters for removal. On cutting the wire cable splays providing tamper evidence. Metalo Cable Seals can be supplied with serial number and bar code for efficient data capture. Straplock Seal Tote boxes can be strapped together on pallets using polypropylene strapping under tension. The Straplock can be locked in place where the strapping crosses over itself rendering the strapping tamper evident and thus protecting all the boxes on the pallet whist being stored or in transit. A couple of tips for protecting tote boxes of high value goods in mixed loads. Where possible, always place higher value items below lower value ones on a pallet or when loading a trailer. Inverting the tote so that the lid is on the bottom is also a useful trick to prevent access during storage or transit, just make sure you are using robust seals to secure the lid before you do. Unisto has built a reputation over 75 years for not just highly innovative tamper evident security seals but also helpful advice and quality of service, offering next day delivery for stocked items.

For more information on Securing the Future talk to Unisto Ltd