WO2008147594A2

WO2008147594A2 - Facility and machine readable medium for assembling and shipping an item in a secure environment

Info

Publication number: WO2008147594A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/059653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald D. Factor; Robert William Grimes
Original assignee: Airis Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Airis Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2007-04-09
Filing date: 2008-04-08
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-09
Also published as: CO6231063A2; WO2008147594A3

Abstract

A facility and computer instructions for assembling, disassembling, shipping, storing, or combinations thereof, at least one item using a security cleared space connected to a port or aviation authority, comprising: a security cleared space connected to a port or aviation authority, means for screening at least one worker to permit entry of the worker, an assembly/disassembly area within the security cleared space, a storage area within the security cleared space, and a trans-shipment area within the security cleared space for loading items onto a transportation vessel connected to the security cleared space. Computer instructions instruct a processor to cause assembly and disassembly of items, cause movement of items to the storage area, and cause movement of assembled, disassembled, or stored items to the trans-shipment area.

Description

TITLE: FACILITY AND MACHINE READABLE MEDIUM FOR ASSEMBLING AND SHIPPING AN ITEM IN A SECURE ENVIRONMENT

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of US Patent Application Serial No.11/733,049, filed on April 09, 2007 and US Patent Application Serial No. 11/733,061, filed on April 09, 2007, which issued into US Patent No. 7,334,730 on February 26, 2008.

FIELD

[0002] The present embodiments relate to a facility for assembling, disassembling, shipping, and/or storing an item using a security cleared space connected to a port or aviation authority, and to a machine readable medium having computer instructions for carrying out the operations of the facility.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A need exists for a facility and computer instructions for ensuring compliance with current or projected United States Transportation Security Administration and International Air Transport Association requirements that allows for the assembly, disassembly, shipment, and storage of items within, to, and from a security cleared area.

[0004] A need also exists for an assembly facility and computer instructions integrated with a cargo terminal to improve on-time delivery and reduce inventory storage by integrating assembly facilities with a port or aviation authority and using sophisticated information linkage between handling systems, enabling manufacturers to track the status of shipments and schedule their activities accordingly.

[0005] A further need exists for a security cleared assembly facility connected to a port or aviation authority and computer instructions that will reduce the number of errors in the delivery cycle, reduce damage to sub-assemblies and finished products, and will reduce handling costs.

[0006] There exists a need for a security cleared assembly facility connected to a port or aviation authority and computer instructions that can control the flow of goods, achieve a higher quality of service, and optimize transport security between the assembly facility and the cargo facility.

[0007] The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

[0009] Figure 1 depicts an axonometric view of an embodiment of the present facility for use herein with an aircraft connected to one of the security cleared buildings.

[00010] Figure 2 depicts a detailed view of an assembly floor within a non-air side building of the facility.

[00011] Figure 3 depicts a detailed view of a floor within an air side building of the facility.

[00012] Figure 4 depicts a schematic representation of a computer system usable with the present computer instructions.

[00013] The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[00014] Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular embodiments and that they can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[00015] Traditionally, product assembly facilities are not located immediately adjacent to port or aviation authority controlled land areas, primarily due to high land costs. However, in today's hi-tech global environment of thinning margins and shrinking markets, manufacturers are seeking methods to eliminate inefficiencies from supply lines to reduce time and costs from assembly to distribution to marketplace. The present facility and program instructions integrate an assembly, disassembly, shipment, and storage facility with a port or aviation authority cargo facility, via a sterile connecting system, thereby eliminating an expensive transport segment from the traditional supply chain, reducing both cost and risk, while improving on-time delivery and reducing inventory storage.

[00016] The facility and the port or aviation authority are connected in a manner that complies with current or projected United States Transportation Security Administration cargo security policies and/or current or projected International Air Transport Association cargo security policies, and can be connected in a manner that complies with other similar laws and/or regulations as well.

[00017] The present facility and machine-readable medium having computer instructions can facilitate, and even automate the delivery of pre-manufactured parts and sub- assemblies to a security cleared space for final assembly, the delivery of assembled items for disassembly, and the readying of completed products for shipping. A computerized process can move assembled or disassembled items into storage or into an aircraft or other vehicles for automatic shipment. Finished products or components are then shipped from the site via cargo carriers serving the adjacent port or aviation authority. The present facility and computer instructions grant tremendous market reach to manufacturers and distributors utilizing the security cleared space, while packaging the entire assembly and distribution process into a single, self-contained, closed-loop facility.

[00018] Through use of a security cleared space, the present facility and computer instructions provide enhanced security, and improved cost and time efficiency over conventional means.

[00019] Items, persons, workers, and vehicles that enter the security cleared space are contemplated to be screened according to current or projected United States Transportation Security Administration and/or current or projected International Air Transport Association requirements, such as Regulations (EU) 2320/2002, 622/2003, 1138/2004, 781/2004, 831/2006, pending 49 CFR §1550 as of April of 2007, and the ECAC Policy Statement in the Field of Civil Aviation Facilitation, 8th Edition, as of January of 2001.

[00020] Persons, workers, items that enter the security space can be screened using any means for screening, including x-rays, air jet analyzers, metal detectors, radioactivity detectors, and by use of gamma rays for screening for drugs and other chemicals. All vehicles connected to the security cleared space or that are allowed to enter the space are also contemplated to be screened in compliance with the above requirements, which can include thorough inspection of the vehicle, use of gamma rays, swabbing for explosives, or removing portions of the vehicle, such as removal and inspection of the contents of door panels.

[00021] Using the present embodiments, the assembly, disassembly, shipment, and/or storage of items is performed on-site at a port or aviation authority, such as at an airport, and assembled or disassembled items can be shipped directly and immediately, reducing the time and costs related to handling and transporting assembled or disassembled items to a port or aviation authority for shipment.

[00022] The present embodiments allow for use of a single consolidated point for security clearance, so that all components, persons, and assembled and disassembled items can be screened and secured at a single location. This feature reduces costs and time required for security compliance, creating a lower price for customers, assemblers, and operators. The consolidated screening process is contemplated to be twice as fast as decentralized screening.

[00023] Another advantage of the present embodiments is that the present facility and computer instructions allow for the creation of a free trade zone, bonded storage, or assembly facility by a customs agency, thereby reducing or eliminating import and export tariffs relating to items delivered to or shipped from the security cleared space.

[00024] Aircraft or other vehicles, such as ships, trucks, and other conveyance means and transportation vessels, can remain connected with the security cleared space throughout an assembly or disassembly process, further improving the efficiency over conventional means by allowing for direct and immediate transport of items to and from vehicles connected to the site. The transportation vessels are connected to the security cleared space in compliance with current or projected United States Transportation Security Administration requirements for shipping and/or International Air Transport Association requirements for shipping.

[00025] The security cleared space can also allow for the manufacture of components in a manufacturing area, in addition to assembly using delivered components, negating a need for separate manufacturing sites and additional screening of manufactured components. [00026] In an embodiment, the present machine-readable medium with computer instructions can be connected to multiple networks. A single network can be in communication with all levels and all users of the security cleared space, individual networks can be in communication with individual users, or any combination of networks can be in communication with any combination of levels and assembly/manufacturing areas. It is contemplated that the one or more networks can have encryption, secure log in means, password protection, and can include biometric files, such as voice print, retinal, or fingerprint files for users to ensure enhanced security.

[00027] The present embodiments can use labels, such as scannable bar codes or radio frequency identification tags, check characters, text, or combinations thereof, to further enhance efficiency, and to facilitate the automation of one or more steps of the method. Manifest clearance forms, labels, or similar documentation can be scanned and transmitted while a shipment is en-route, further increasing the efficiency of the present method.

[00028] The facility can include one or more scanners for scanning of labels and/or manifest clearance forms to clear items for shipment from the security cleared space, and/or to obtain insurance coverage for a manufacturer, an assembler, a broker, a forwarder, a shipper, a carrier, a customer, other individuals, or combinations thereof. Additional steps required by insurance carriers to obtain insurance coverage can also be performed, such as submitting payment to initiate a shipping policy.

[00029] Traditional manifest clearance forms do not identify a specific floor or a zone within a building which an item is to be delivered or located. The present embodiments can include use of manifest clearance forms that allow a user, operator, or shipper to identify in the manifest the precise location of screened and cleared items.

[00030] In an embodiment, a manifest clearance form can be scanned while items are en- route from the security cleared space to a delivery point outside the security cleared space. The scanned manifest clearance form can be transmitted to a designated internet protocol address.

[00031] The present facility can include a governmental customs inspection checkpoint to enable items to pass from the security cleared space to an aircraft or other vehicle for shipment to a specific destination. Additional steps required by the government to physically clear the governmental customs inspection can also be performed, such as steps required by the United States Department of Agriculture for inspecting drugs and pharmaceuticals. Items could also pass from the security cleared space directly to the specific destination, without use of a transportation vessel.

[00032] Referring now to Figure 1 , Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the present facility. The present facility is shown as two buildings within a security cleared space adjacent an airport. The security cleared space can be any type of space, such as a building, a space enclosed by walls and gates, an open area designated by markings on walls and floors, temporary buildings, inflatable structures, pre-manufactured buildings, or other similar structures or areas. The security cleared space can be a single zone within a security cleared building, or it can be a plurality of zones, as depicted in Figure 1.

[00033] While Figure 1 depicts the adjacent port authority as an airport, the port or aviation authority can also include a military post, a ship terminal, a rail facility or terminal, a ferry terminal, a trucking facility, other inter-modal facilities, and other similar facilities whether public or private.

[00034] Figure 1 depicts two multiple floor buildings. Air side building 20 is depicted having floors 12b, 14b, and 15b. It is contemplated that an aircraft 24, or other vehicles, can deliver items to air side building 20 for assembly, disassembly, shipment, manufacturing or storage. Aircraft 24 can also ship items out of the security cleared space. Each of floors 12b, 14b, and 15b can be used for any purpose, including parking, storage, packaging, distribution, transport, manufacturing and other purposes. Air side building 20 can have any number of floors.

[00035] Air side building 20 is connected to a non-air side building 18 via a secure connector bridge 22. While secure connector bridge 22 is depicted as an elevated skyway, secure connector bridge 22 can also be a surface-level walkway, sidewalk, or hallway, or an underground tunnel. Secure connector bridge 22 can include conveyor belts, power rollers, and similar equipment to facilitate transport of items between air side building 20 and non-air side building 18. Any number of connector bridges or other connection means can be used to connect air side building 20 to non-air side building 18. A connection between buildings could also be a door or other type of portal. [00036] Non-air side building 18 is depicted having floors 5a, 8a, 10a, 12a, 14a, and 15a. Each of floors 5a, 8a, 10a, 12a, 14a, and 15a can include one or more assembly areas, parking areas, pallet buildup and breakdown areas, storage areas, receiving and shipping areas, and vertical conveyance systems for transporting items between floors. Assembly areas can include manufacturing areas. It is contemplated that individual floors and individual areas of floors can be leased to individual users. It is further contemplated that individual floors and individual areas of floors can be adapted and customized as needed for assembly and disassembly or manufacturing of specific items. Non-air side building 18 can have any number of floors.

[00037] While non-air side building 18 is depicted as a multilevel building, non-air side building 18 could also be a single story building containing multiple assembly and disassembly areas within the single story.

[00038] Figure 1 depicts the facility adjacent an airport runway or taxiway 28. Additional surface transport devices, such as truck 32, can be used to facilitate transport of items between air side building 20 and non-air side building 18. Additional vehicles, such as truck 32, can also be used to deliver items or components to the security cleared space and to ship items or components from the security cleared space.

[00039] Figure 2 depicts a contemplated interior of a level of non-air side building 18. An assembly area 36 for assembling items for shipment, is depicted. Assembly area 36 can also be a disassembly area for disassembling items, a storage area for holding items, a trans-shipment area for loading items onto a transportation vessel, a manufacturing area for manufacturing items, or other types of areas. Assembly area 36 includes assembly lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52. Assembly lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52 can include assembly equipment, conveyer belts and power rollers, and other similar items for assembly or disassembly of items. One or more workers may individually or simultaneously operate or perform tasks at any of assembly lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52.

[00040] Personnel and workers can include a line operator, a manager, a foreman, a forklift operator, an administrator, a floor operator, a broker, a forwarder, a customs official, a treasury official, a drug enforcement agent and associated animals, a customs agent, a ground handling operator, a medical personnel, an engineer, a building engineer, a safety personnel, a leasing agent, an airport authority administrator, an airline official, a pilot or crew member, a load manager, a ramp operator, a ramp manager, a life, safety, and code compliance official, a security officer, a police officer, a food delivery personnel, a cleaning personnel, a United States Department of Agriculture personnel, other similar persons, and combinations thereof.

[00041] It is also contemplated that one or more assembly steps or movement of items can be performed using automated means and machinery, such as an automated storage and retrieval module (ASRM made by Seimens Dematic from Germany and the United States), an elevating tracked vehicle (ETV), such as those made by Mitsubishi of Japan, power rollers or power ball decks, such as those made by Lόdige of Germany, a tracked vehicle (TV), such as a trailer on rails or inlaid track or a tracked vehicle manufactured by Mannesmann of Germany.

[00042] Each of assembly lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52 could independently assemble or disassemble identical or different items or components, or perform a single step in an assembly or disassembly process. The assembly area 36 could include groups of individual modules or similar groups of assembly stations that are connected together, either mechanically or electronically.

[00043] One or more of the assembly lines can include means for labeling and/or means for sealing items or groups of items. Sealing can be performed using one or more aluminum metal containers, such as Unit Load Devices (ULD), one or more cargo pallets or nets, tamper proof tape, such as that made by 3M of Minnesota, one or more tamper proof crates, such as wooden crates, or combinations thereof. Sealing can be performed according to custom agency standards, weather protection needs, tamper prevention, or combinations thereof.

[00044] Sealing of the items prevents tampering of sealed items and allows personnel to quickly and visually determine whether or not one or more items have been tampered with or damaged.

[00045] Figure 2 depicts a first conveyer belt 49, which is contemplated to connect non-air side building 18 to air side building 20, depicted in Figure 1, for transport of items between the buildings. It is contemplated that first conveyer belt 49 can be integral to secure connector bridge 22, depicted in Figure 1. [00046] Second conveyer belt 51 is depicted transporting item 53 to assembly area 36. First conveyer belt 49 and second conveyer belt 51 can be separate conveyer belts, or connected. Any arrangement of conveyer belts or other machinery can be used to facilitate transport of items and components to and from non-air side building 18 and assembly area 36. First conveyer belt 49 and second conveyer belt 51 could also be another lineal means of conveyance, including but not limited to power rollers, ball decks, and other means of material conveyance.

[00047] Figure 2 also depicts adjacent areas 47a, 47b, and 47c. Adjacent areas 47a, 47b, and 47c can be used for storage, trans-shipment, pallet buildup and breakdown, additional assembly or disassembly areas, manufacturing, truck docks or receiving areas, office space, or locations for vertical conveyance systems. In a contemplated embodiment, adjacent areas 47a, 47b, and 47c can include elevators, stairways, or other connections to other floors.

[00048] Figure 2 further depicts vertical conveyance system 45, which can be any type of lift, elevator, including a freight elevator, or any other type of vertical conveyance system useable to transport items, components, groups of items, groups of components, pallets, packaged items and components, and other items and equipment between floors of non-airside building 18.

[00049] Stairways 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d are also depicted. Stairways 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d can connect one or more floors of non-air side building 18.

[00050] Figure 3 depicts a contemplated interior of a level of air side building 20. Parking area 100 is adjacent to air side building 20. While Figure 3 depicts parking area 100 adjacent to air side building 20, parking area 100 can be located remote from air side building 20. It is also contemplated that one or more levels of air side building 20 or non-air side building 18, shown in Figure 1, can include one or more parking areas, such as underground parking areas. It is further contemplated that parking area 100 can contain trucks and other cargo vehicles that are not currently loading or unloading items or components from air side building 20.

[00051] First ramp 104 and second ramp 105 connect parking area 100 to truck docks 102, allowing trucks and other cargo vehicles to receive and unload items and components directly from air side building 20. [00052] Items that enter or leave air side building 20 through truck docks 102 can be manually transported within air side building 20, loaded, or unloaded by personnel, or items and components can be transported using automated means. It is contemplated that first ramp 104, second ramp 105, truck docks 102, parking area 100, and/or any other portions of air side building 20 can include screening checkpoints or similar means for screening all items, personnel, workers, or vehicles that enter the security cleared space.

[00053] Figure 3 depicts first conveyer belt 108, second conveyer belt 109, and third conveyer belt 110 for transporting items and components within the depicted level of air side building 20. Figure 3 further depicts first adjacent space 106 and second adjacent space 107 which can include vertical conveyance means, such as ASRM vertical conveyance systems, for transporting items and components between levels of air side building 20. Any number of vertical conveyance means can be included within any levels of air side building 20. First adjacent space 106 and/or second adjacent space 107 can also include storage areas, trans-shipment areas, screening areas, or other types of areas.

[00054] At least one vertical conveyance means can transport items to the floor of air side building 20 containing secure connector bridge 22, depicted in Figure 1, to allow items and components to be transported to and from non-air side building 18.

[00055] Air side building 20 also includes first cargo way 112, second cargo way 114, and third cargo way 116, for receiving delivered items and components and for loading assembled or disassembled items into aircraft or other port authority vehicles. First cargo way 112, second cargo way 114, and third cargo way 116 can include means for screening items, personnel, workers, and vehicles to permit entry into air side building 20.

[00056] Referring now to Figure 4, a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a computer system useable with the present method is shown.

[00057] Processor 50, having data storage 52, is connected to a network 54. Network 54 can be the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, a virtual private network, a satellite network, a cellular network, a fiber optic network, a telephone system, or other kinds of various networks or combinations thereof, that can enable processor 50 to be in communication with the security cleared space. It is contemplated that multiple processors and/or multiple networks can be used.

[00058] First input device 56 and second input device 58 are depicted in communication with network 54 via a first gateway protocol 60 and a second gateway protocol 62. First input device 56 and second input device 58 can be personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, scanners, bar code readers, keyboards, touch screens, graphical user interfaces, or other tracking systems or devices, which may include a use of a microphone, a voice recognition system, or a biometric security keyed device. Any number of gateway protocols and input devices can be used, independently or simultaneously.

[00059] It is contemplated that first input device 56 and second input device 58 can access processor 50 over network 54, and can input data 66 into data storage 52 and retrieve data 66 from data storage 52. First input device 56 and second input device 58 can have one or more displays for viewing the data 66 retrieved from data storage 52. User 64 is depicted in communication with first input device 56.

[00060] Data storage 52 is depicted containing data 66, relating to one or more items or components, which can be accessed by one or more users and input by one or more users.

[00061] Data 66 can include information relating to one or more screened components to be assembled, stored, or shipped, one or more assembled items to be disassembled, stored, or shipped, one or more stored items to be assembled, disassembled, or shipped, or combinations thereof. Data 66 can also include data obtained by scanning labels, manifest clearance forms, and other similar information.

[00062] Data of this type can include a bar code or serial number or radio frequency identification device (RFID) relating to the assembled item, destination coordinates, shipping dates, shipping methods, insured value, quantity, owner, shipper, forwarder, customs information, hazardous cargo information, similar types of information, and combinations thereof. The data relating to items can also include a location of the item within the security cleared space. Data can also include information for an airway bill, which typically includes United States Federal Aviation Administration data for shipping the items. [00063] Computer instructions 68 can be resident in memory, or data storage 52 of processor 50. Computer instructions 68 provide logistical instructions for application to items and components and can include but are not limited to instructions to cause the assembly or disassembly of items, and to cause the movement of items to storage or trans-shipment areas, which can include final packaging and consolidation of items prior to shipment, customs clearance of the items prior to shipment, routing of consolidated and cleared items to be weighed, screening of cleared items prior to shipment, valuation of the items and applying insurance coverage to the items prior to shipment, and directing of the cleared, screened, weighed, valued and insured items to a particular aircraft or vehicle for transport.

[00064] Computer instructions 68 can also include instructions for automating the assembly or disassembly process, such as through use of mechanical equipment that can include smart pallets and a computer controlled processing unit. Computer instructions 68 can further include instructions for facilitating the assembly or disassembly process by displaying information, lists, messages, or instructions, such as by using display 65, depicted in communication with processor 50.

[00065] Computer instructions can also be used to instruct the processor to display a list of items to be assembled or disassembled in the assembly area, to display messages that items or components are to be assembled or disassembled, to indicate readiness of items for assembly, disassembly, storage, or shipment, to indicate locations of items, and other similar information to facilitate the assembly, disassembly, storage, and/or shipment of items. Computer instructions can further be used to cause and/or automate the manufacture of components or items within the security cleared space.

[00066] Through use of the present facility and computer instructions, one or more components, which can include raw materials for assembling items, such as silicon to make silicon chips, can be obtained through delivery from vessels, such as land based, sea based, or air based vessels, from storage within the security cleared space, or manufactured within the security cleared space. Received items can be screened according to current or projected United States Transportation Security Administration and current or projected International Air Transportation Association regulations, and other similar regulations. [00067] The assembly or disassembly of items can then be done by creating an assembly line in the security cleared space, or through other means. The assembly or disassembly can be performed using any conventional tools, processes, personnel, or steps necessary to create the assembled item, such as a conveyor belt or a power roller deck. A conveyor system could use smart pallets and a wireless network to communicate with personnel, identify parts and locations within the security cleared space, and promote the assembly process within the secure environment. An automated assembly line using smart pallets and a computer controlled processing unit could also be used.

[00068] Assembled or disassembled items can then be readied for storage, or for shipment to a destination. This can be done by entering data related to the assembled item into the processor. Entered data can be a bar code or serial number relating to the item, destination coordinates for the item, check digits for storage locations, similar information, or combinations thereof.

[00069] While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A facility for assembling, shipping, storing, or combinations thereof, at least one item using a security cleared space connected to a port or aviation authority in compliance with United States Transportation Security Administration cargo security policies, International Air Transport Association cargo security policies, or combinations thereof, the facility comprising:

a security cleared space for assembly, shipment, storage, or combinations thereof, of at least one item, wherein the security cleared space is connected to the port or aviation authority and complies with United States Transportation Security Administration cargo security policies, International Air Transport Association cargo security policies, or combinations thereof;

means for screening at least one worker to permit entry of the at least one worker to the security cleared space, wherein the means for screening complies with United States Transportation Security Administration requirements, International Air Transport Association requirements, or combinations thereof;

an assembly area within the security cleared space for forming at least one assembled item from at least one screened component, wherein the at least one screened component has been screened in compliance with United States Transportation Security Administration requirements, International Air Transport Association requirements, or combinations thereof;

a storage area within the security cleared space for holding the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof;

a trans-shipment area within the security cleared space for loading the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof, onto a transportation vessel connected to the security cleared space in compliance with United States Transportation Security Administration requirements for shipment, International Air Transport Association requirements for shipment, or combinations thereof;

a processor in communication with the security cleared space and data storage; computer instructions in the data storage for instructing the processor to cause the assembly of the at least one assembled item from the at least one screened component;

computer instructions in the data storage for instructing the processor to cause the movement of the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof, to the storage area, forming at least one stored item; and

computer instructions in the data storage for instructing the processor to cause the movement of the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, the at least one stored item, or combinations thereof, to the transshipment area.

2. A facility for disassembling, shipping, storing, or combinations thereof, at least one item using a security cleared space connected to a port or aviation authority in compliance with United States Transportation Security Administration cargo security policies, International Air Transport Association cargo security policies, or combinations thereof, the facility comprising:

a security cleared space for disassembly, shipment, storage, or combinations thereof, of at least one item, wherein the security cleared space is connected to the port or aviation authority and complies with United States Transportation Security Administration cargo security policies, International Air Transport Association cargo security policies, or combinations thereof;

means for screening at least one worker to permit entry to the security cleared space, wherein the means for screening complies with United States Transportation Security Administration requirements, International Air Transport Association requirements, or combinations thereof

a disassembly area within the security cleared space for obtaining at least one component from the at least one assembled item and screening the at least one component using the at least one worker, forming at least one screened component, wherein the at least one assembled item has been screened in compliance with United States Transportation Security Administration, International Air Transport Association requirements, or combinations thereof;

a storage area within the security cleared space for holding the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof; a trans-shipment area within the security cleared space for loading the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof, onto a transportation vessel connected to the security cleared space in compliance with United States Transportation Security Administration requirements for shipment, International Air Transport Association requirements for shipment, or combinations thereof;

a processor in communication with the security cleared space and data storage;

computer instructions in the data storage for instructing the processor to cause the disassembly of the at least one assembled item to obtain the at least one screened component;

3. The facility according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the processor is in communication with the security cleared space using at least one network.

4. The facility of claim 3, wherein the processor communicates with the security cleared space through at least two gateway protocols simultaneously.

5. The facility according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, the at least one stored item, or combinations thereof, comprise at least one label.

6. The facility of claim 5, wherein the at least one label is a bar code, a radio frequency identification tag, a check character, text, a manifest clearance form, or combinations thereof.

7. The facility of claim 6, further comprising a scanner for scanning the at least one label to initiate insurance coverage from at least one insurance carrier, to enable clearing of the at least one assembled item while en route from the security cleared space to a delivery point outside the security cleared space, or combinations thereof.

8. The facility of claim 7, further comprising a governmental customs inspection checkpoint for enabling the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof, to pass out of the security cleared space to the transportation vessel for shipment to a specific destination, or to pass out of the security cleared space to the specific destination without use of the transportation vessel.

9. The facility according to claims 1 or 2, further comprising means for providing at least one seal to the at least one screened component, the at least one assembled item, the at least one stored item, or combinations thereof, wherein the at least one seal is at least one aluminum metal container, at least one cargo net, tamper proof tape, at least one tamper proof crate, or combinations thereof.

10. The facility according to claims 1 or 2, further comprising an automated assembly line using smart pallets and a computer controlled processing unit in the assembly area for forming the at least one assembled item.

11. A machine -readable medium connected to at least one network having a processor, a data storage, at least one input device, and a display, containing computer instructions for instructing a processor to:

receive first data from the at least one input device with information related to at least one component for assembly of at least one assembled item, wherein the at least one component has been screened according to International Air Transport Association and United States Transportation Security Administration requirements;

store the first data in the data storage;

cause the transport of at least one of the components related to the first data to an assembly area in a security cleared space, wherein the security cleared space is connected to a port or aviation authority and is a secured area meeting International Air Transport Association requirements and United States Transportation Security Administration requirements for cargo security policies;

cause the assembly of the components in the assembly area of the security cleared space into the at least one assembled item;

receive second data that the components have been assembled into the at least one assembled item; cause the at least one assembled item to be assigned a manifest;

cause the transport of the at least one assembled item to a designated storage area within the security cleared space or to a transshipment area within the security cleared space for loading onto a vehicle connected to the security cleared space in compliance with International Air Transport Association and United States Transportation Security Administration requirements for shipment; and

provide a report to at least one operator concerning at least one stage of assembly, transport, or storage of at least one component, at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof.

12. A machine -readable medium connected to at least one network having a processor, a data storage, at least one input device, and a display, containing computer instructions for instructing a processor to:

receive first data from the at least one input device with information related to at least one assembled item for disassembly of the at least one assembled item into at least one screened component, wherein the at least one assembled item has been screened according to International Air Transport Association and United States Transportation Security Administration requirements;

store the first data in the data storage;

cause the transport of at least one of the assembled items related to the first data to a disassembly area in a security cleared space, wherein the security cleared space is connected to a port or aviation authority and is a secured area meeting International Air Transport Association requirements and United States Transportation Security Administration requirements for cargo security policies;

cause the disassembly of the assembled item in the disassembly area of the security cleared space into the at least one screened component;

receive second data that the assembled item has been disassembled into the at least one screened component;

cause the at least one screened component to be assigned a manifest; cause the transport of the at least one screened component to a designated storage area within the security cleared space or to a transshipment area within the security cleared space for loading onto a vehicle connected to the security cleared space in compliance with International Air Transport Association and United States Transportation Security Administration requirements for shipment; and

provide a report to at least one operator concerning at least one stage of disassembly, transport, or storage of at least one screened component, at least one assembled item, or combinations thereof.

13. The machine -readable medium of claim 11, further comprising computer instructions for instructing the processor to display on the display a list of assembled items to be assembled from the at least one component at the assembly area.

14. The machine -readable medium of claim 11, further comprising computer instructions for causing the processor to display on the display a message that the at least one assembled item is to be assembled from the at least one component at the assembly area.

15. The machine-readable medium according to claims 11 or 12, further comprising computer instructions for transferring first data, second data or combinations thereof, through at least two gateway protocols using the at least one input device.

16. The machine-readable medium according to claims 11 or 12, further comprising computer instructions for instructing the processor to label the at least one assembled item, the at least one screened component, or combinations thereof.

17. The machine -readable medium of claim 16, wherein the label is a bar code, a radio frequency identification tag, a check character, text, or combinations thereof.

18. The machine -readable medium of claim 17, further comprising computer instructions for instructing the processor to scan the label, forming scanned data, to transmit the scanned data to at least one insurance carrier for initiating insurance coverage for a manufacturer, an assembler, a broker, a forwarder, a shipper, a carrier, a customer, or combinations thereof, and to archive the scanned data in the data storage.

19. The machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the label comprises a manifest clearance form for enabling clearing of the at least one assembled item.

20. The machine -readable medium of claim 19, further comprising computer instructions for instructing the processor to scan the manifest clearance form, forming scanned manifest data, to transmit the scanned manifest data to the at least one network and a designated internet protocol address for enabling clearing of the at least one assembled item while en route from the security cleared space to a delivery point outside the security cleared space, and to archive the scanned manifest data in the data storage.

21. The machine-readable medium according to claims 11 or 12, further comprising computer instructions for instructing the processor to activate a means for sealing to seal the at least one assembled item, the at least one screened component, or combinations thereof, according to custom agency standards, weather protection needs, tamper prevention, or combinations thereof.

22. The machine-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the means for sealing is performed using at least one aluminum metal container, at least one cargo net, tamper proof tape, at least one tamper proof crate, or combinations thereof.

23. The machine-readable medium according to claims 11 or 12, further comprising computer instructions for directing an automated assembly line using smart pallets and a computer controlled processing unit.

24. The machine-readable medium according to claims 11 or 12, further comprising computer instructions for instructing the processor to cause manufacture of additional components.

25. The machine -readable medium of claim 12, further comprising computer instructions for instructing the processor to display on the display a list of screened components to be obtained from disassembly of the at least one assembled item at the disassembly area.

26. The machine -readable medium of claim 12, further comprising computer instructions for causing the processor to display on the display a message that the at least one screened component is to be obtained from disassembly of the at least one assembled item.